Ruthless Australia became the second team to qualify for the Super Eight quarter-final stage of the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup after a destructive spell from leg-spinner Adam Zampa spurred them to a record nine-wicket win against Namibia on Tuesday in Antigua.
The 32-year-old Zampa claimed his 100th T20 International wicket during a remarkable spell, bagging four for 12 from his allotted four overs, as the Australians, reigning Test and One-day International world champions, bowled out the Namibians for 72 in 17 overs in their Group B match at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
Left-handed opener Travis Head then hit 34 from 17 balls, sharing an unbroken second-wicket stand of 53 with captain Mitchell Marsh, who was not out on 18, to lead the Aussies to 74 for one. The result took just 34 balls, marking Australia’s quickest successful run chase in a T20 International.
Marsh brought the match to a flourishing end, cutting pacer Jack Brassell for a four through point, a six off a slower ball swung over deep mid-wicket, and a four driven ferociously through mid-off while moving down the pitch off successive balls.
Third win for Australia
The win was Australia’s third consecutive victory, following a 39-run win against Oman last Wednesday at Kensington Oval in Barbados and a 36-run triumph over England this past Saturday. Australia now leads Group B with six points.
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The result carried Australia above Scotland to the top of the group, with the two sides set to meet on Saturday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia in their final group match. A win for Scotland, second on five points from their three matches, will eliminate defending champions England, who must beat Oman and Namibia convincingly in their remaining matches to stand any chance of progressing to the next round.
“To get the win and qualify for the Super Eights, that is a nice feeling,” Zampa said. “I bowled a couple of pies [in this match], but in general, the ball feels like it is coming out well. I am being encouraged to pick up wickets in the middle, particularly by the captain… We are happy. It is the first step in trying to take the trophy home but a long way to go (still).”
Namibia’s struggles and Zampa’s brilliance
Namibia was already reeling at 21 for four after the Australian pacers, led by Josh Hazlewood, had dismantled their top-order batting. Zampa struck with his fifth ball, getting Zane Green lbw for one. He continued his rampage by removing David Wiese, caught at long-on for one in his next over, and took two more wickets in his third over by dismissing Ruben Trumpelmann and Bernard Scholtz.
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Namibia found themselves at 43 for eight, with no hope of a comeback, despite their captain Gerhard Erasmus top-scoring with 36. Erasmus acknowledged the value of playing against top-tier teams, saying, “For an ICC associate nation, I think these big games are always gold dust in the sense that you get a physical run out with the best in the world and you tend to face different ball speeds, different skills at a very high quality, a very high consistency.”
Marcus Stoinis, opening the bowling for Australia in place of the injured Mitchell Starc, ended with two for nine from three overs, and Hazlewood finished with two for 18 from four overs.
David Warner gave Australia a blistering start with three fours and one six in his 20 off eight balls before Wiese got him caught at mid-off in the second over. Marsh then joined Head to steer Australia over the finish line.
Looking ahead
Australia’s dominant performance not only secured their spot in the Super Eights but also demonstrated their formidable strength and depth as they aim for the T20 World Cup title. With their next match against Scotland, the team will look to maintain their momentum and secure the top spot in Group B.
Namibia: 72 all out in 17 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 36; Adam Zampa 4-12, Josh Hazlewood 2-18, Marcus Stoinis 2-9)
Australia: 74 for 1 in 5.4 overs (Travis Head 34*, Mitchell Marsh 18*; David Wiese 1-17)
Australia won by 9 wickets.
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