Australia’s World Cup chances stand on a thin thread after the victory against Afghanistan. Australia batted first on the Adelaide Oval pitch. The team scored 168 in their 20 overs despite a very aggressive start. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and just could not get partnerships. Sending Maxwell late into bat was the most talking point of the match.
Australia’s Innings
Australia needed to win with a heavy margin to go above England in the points table. So they needed to score a big total on the board. Green who was brought in place of the injured skipper Aaron Finch, got out early. Steve Smith was trapped lbw as Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Maxwell was sent at number 6. Mitchell Marsh got out just when he was looking threatening.
The exclusion of Mitchell Starc was quite baffling. It was difficult to understand why he was dropped from the playing 11.
Rashid’s Heroics
Australia looked comfortable to win the match. But heroics from Rashid Khan kept Afghanistan alive in the match.
He had little choice except to swing his bat about, which he did pretty cleverly with the fielding situations, with 49 runs needed off the final three overs. Before being run out while attempting to get Rashid back to strike, Darwish Rasooli played second fiddle; nevertheless, Rashid soon took over, especially against Cummins’s slower players.
With 11 needed off 2 balls, Rashid Khan could not connect a maximum and Stoinis held his nerve to win the match for Australia.
Even though Australia won the match, they have to wait for the result of the England vs Sri Lanka match. They need England to lose the match so that they can qualify for the semifinals. Australia would be hoping that Sri Lanka beat England.
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