Cricket Highlights, June 8: WC 2024 (Match 17) – Australia vs England

Australia vs England (Match 16) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss the intense T20 World Cup clash between Australia and England in Barbados, where Australia delivered a dominant performance, leaving England’s Super 8 qualification hopes hanging by a thread. The Australians set a formidable total, powered by explosive starts from David Warner and Travis Head, and an impactful bowling display from Adam Zampa that stifled England’s run chase. 

Australia decisively outclassed England in Barbados, causing the defending champions to anxiously await their qualification fate for the Super 8s. Australia’s innings was set ablaze by David Warner and Travis Head, who hammered 70 runs in the first five overs, while Adam Zampa’s impressive performance stifled England’s response. 

Despite the setback, England’s title defense remains alive, but with only one point from two matches, they face a tense week in Antigua. They must secure victories against Oman and Namibia and hope their net run rate surpasses Scotland’s to advance to the second round.

For the first time in their T20 history, England opened with spin from both ends, a strategy that backfired. Moeen Ali’s first over was economical, costing only three runs, but Jacks, who had bowled just two overs in his previous 14 T20Is, was hit over the short boundary three times in four balls. Wood’s first over was similarly expensive, with Warner exploiting the short boundary for three sixes and a four.

The unique dimensions of Kensington Oval significantly influenced the match: one square boundary was a mere 58 meters, nine meters shorter than the other. Australia immediately capitalized on this, with Will Jacks, unexpectedly bowling the second over, conceding three sixes in his first four balls over the shorter leg-side boundary. Mark Wood’s first over from the same end was equally costly, yielding 22 runs.

Australia’s total was built on contributions from multiple batsmen rather than a single standout performance. Warner, possibly facing England for the last time in international cricket, top-scored with 39, and all top five batsmen made at least 28. Matthew Wade added a quickfire 17 not out from 10 balls at number seven, pushing Australia past the 200-run mark.

Jofra Archer was the only England bowler to quickly adjust to the conditions, using slower balls and a back-of-length strategy. He celebrated his first international wicket in Barbados by clean bowling Head with an off-cutter. Despite this, Australia’s 74 for 2 was their highest powerplay score in a men’s T20 World Cup.

England managed to regain some control once the field spread out, though Mitchell Marsh continued to find the boundary, hitting a pull shot off Adil Rashid onto the stand’s roof and launching Archer over the leg-side boundary post-drinks break. Glenn Maxwell scored 28 off 25, matching his highest T20 score since February, before being stumped by Buttler and then caught at deep midwicket off Rashid, leaving Australia at 142 for 4 in the 15th over and in need of a strong finish.

Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, and Wade ensured Australia reached 200 with consistent boundaries towards the end, while England’s fielding became increasingly sloppy. Rashid expressed frustration when Stoinis managed a boundary from a toe-ended reverse-sweep, and a mix-up between Archer and Jonny Bairstow added to the chaos.

In stark contrast, England’s chase faltered after a promising start. Zampa dismissed both openers, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, in his first 11 balls. England went from a strong position at 73 for 0 after seven overs to a dismal 92 for 6 in the next 13, with their middle order failing to adapt to the dry pitch against a disciplined Australian attack.

England’s openers aimed to make the most of the powerplay, with Buttler aggressively targeting Josh Hazlewood and Salt launching a massive six off Mitchell Starc. However, Zampa turned the game with his first ball, which bowled Salt as he attempted to cut. In Zampa’s second over, Buttler hit a six but then reverse-swept straight to Pat Cummins at point, leaving England needing 109 from the final 10 overs.

Will Jacks hit one boundary off Cummins before falling to a diving catch by Starc at long-off, and Bairstow struggled, managing only 7 from 13 balls. Moeen Ali briefly offered hope with three sixes in a Maxwell over, but the required run rate proved too steep.

Australia vs England Scoreboard

Australia– 201/7 (20.0)

England – 165/6(20.0)

Result – Australia won by 36 runs

Player of the match – Adam Zampa

Adam Zampa

Australia vs England Playing XIs

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