NORTH SOUND: At the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Tuesday, Australia easily defeated Namibia by nine wickets to go to the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup.
With scores of 4–12, Adam Zampa spearheaded the crushing of an inferior Namibian team, making history as the first Australian player to 100 T20I wickets.
After batting first, the southern Africans were bowled out for just 72 runs in just 17 overs.
After defeating Oman and fierce rivals England, Australia quickly reached the target in just 5.4 overs with one wicket lost.
At 18 not out, skipper Mitchell Marsh hit the winning boundary, and Travis Head finished undefeated at 34.
Namibia was initially stifled by the 2021 champions’ effectiveness with their new-ball bowlers and some safe catching when they were put in to bat in windy, rainy weather.
Then Zampa took over, his leg-spinner tearing through Namibia’s batters’ lower half, demoralizing them.
In order to achieve his milestone of 100 wickets in the shortest format, he bowled Bernard Scholtz for his fourth wicket on the final ball of his four-over spell.
After winning Man of the Match, Zampa remarked, “I bowled a couple of pies (bad balls) tonight to get a couple wickets but that happens at times.”
The captain has been encouraging me to take wickets in those middle overs, and I’ve been feeling great. Here in the Caribbean, things can be a little difficult, but you have to learn to live with it.
“There is still a long way to go, but this is the first step in trying to take the trophy home,” he continued.
Danger for England
Gerhard Erasmus, the captain of Namibia, took 17 deliveries to get going but ended up top-scoring with 36 from 43 balls (four fours and one six) before being removed for the ninth wicket, giving Marcus Stoinis the second wicket.
Josh Hazlewood, a veteran seamer, shared the new ball with Stoinis and took two wickets.
“You cannot back down in the face of the greatest in the world. Despite the fact that there is a talent difference, Erasmus claimed that it may be somewhat closed by “fighting fire with fire” following the crushing defeat.
“That is not what we did tonight. If on a given day you are unwilling to psychologically elevate yourself to this level, a good side such as Australia will expose you.” The overwhelming victory raises intriguing questions about Australia’s last group game.
They take on Scotland, who are in second in the group and, should they defeat the unstoppable Aussies on Saturday in St Lucia, are set to eliminate reigning champions England.
“After our match against Scotland, things will get pretty busy, so we’ll manage as many people as we can over the next few days,” Marsh added, raising the prospect of a few player rests.
The captain was gushing about Zampa, his top spinner.
“He’s probably our most important player if you look at his career over the last four or five years,” Marsh remarked.
“He enjoys the pressure and the big moment.” I believe that all comes with experience, and right now he is bowling really well.
