Australia humiliate England by 36 runs in crucial match
Defending champions England were overpowered by Aussie bowlers leaving them 36 runs short of total
Barbados
Australia crushed the defending champions England with a humiliating defeat in the 17th match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval Barbados on Saturday.
England were overpowered by Aussie bowlers leaving them to put together 165/6 which was 36 runs short of target in 20 overs.
Chasing an impressive total, England’s openers, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, gave their side a strong start, by stitching together a quick 73-run opening partnership. Playing aggressively from the very start, Salt scored 37 runs from 23 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, at a strike rate of 160.86.
Adam Zampa claimed Salt’s wicket when he clean-bowled him on his very first delivery of the spell.
Captain Buttler showcased his skill with a spectacular innings, notching up 42 runs off just 27 balls with the help of 5 fours and 2 sixes. His innings were also cut short by Zampa’s excellent bowling.
The Australians took the game in their hand with their bowling, causing trouble for the defending champions. Will Jacks (10) and Jonny Bairstow (7) struggled to surmount the target.
Vice-captain Moeen Ali showed some promise but was caught out by Pat Cummins after scoring 25 runs off 15 balls. The Australian bowlers’ variations made it difficult for the English batters to play aggressively. Cummins stood out as the best bowler for the 2021 champions, with impressive figures of 2/23, while Zampa finished with 2/28.
Earlier, Australia gave the defending champions a 202-run target to win the Group B match. England won the toss and invited their traditional to bat first.
The openers, Travis Head and David Warner, set the platform with 70-run stand in five overs as the 2021 champions made 201 for the loss of seven wickets.
Head made 18-ball 34 while Warner scored 16-ball 39. Skipper Mitchell Marsh contributed with 25-ball 35.
Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell made 25-ball 35 while Marcus Stoinis played a cameo 17-ball 30.
Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers, picking 2-44. Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali bagged a wicket each.
