The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Australian World T20 Diary: Pakistan

Glenn 'Rocks and Diamonds' Maxwell will always bring the surprises. (AAP Image/Mark Dadswell)
Roar Rookie
24th March, 2014
1

Australian named an interesting team for their ICC World T20 opener against a strong and determined Pakistan side in Dhaka. Four of the Australians were able to claim veteran status – and it showed.

The Aussies looked old and slow in the field, dropping two catches and missing many simple fielding opportunities in the first ten overs as the Pakistanis batted first.

The Akmal brothers jumped at the chances they received, carving out a successful third wicket partnership. It was a partnership that Pakistan badly needed, as they were in severe trouble early.

After watching the very first ball cleverly guided through back cover towards the boundary, Aussie cricket fans would have contemplated calling it a night. Australia hit back quickly, though – not so much through great bowling as brain explosions from the Pakistani openers.

Despite those two quick wickets, the game fell out of reach for the Australians. George Bailey tried many different bowling options to buy a wicket, but Umar and Kamran Akmal picked off all the loose deliveries and dispatched them to the boundary – some along the ground, some over the rope or into the stands.

Australia didn’t look like taking down this partnership until the team’s young stars entered the fray. Nathan Coulter-Nile and David Warner combined to take down Kamran Akmal and finally split the brothers’ important partnership, though it was the other brother whose scalp the Aussies needed.

At the 13th over mark Pakistan were 3-123 and cruising towards a projected total of just over 200. Pakistan finished their innings at 5-191, with Umar Akmal eventually dismissed for 94 off 54 balls.

This should have been an easy target for the Australians, especially coming off a Big Bash League tournament that saw plenty of 200-plus scores. The outlook looked incredibly dark and cloudy early in the chase, with both Warner and the injury-plagued Shane Watson walking back to the dressing rooms in the first over.

Advertisement

There was some reprieve for the Australian team, however, with Glenn ‘Big Show’ Maxwell slashing 74 off 33 balls and helping Australia come close to their target. Ultimately, Maxwell and Aaron Finch were the only two Australian batsmen to reach double figures in a total of 175.

It was disappointing start to the tournament after such a brilliant summer for the Australian cricket team, who will now have to win their remaining three games to make the semi-finals.

The always powerful West Indies, Bangladesh and India will all be tough opponents if Australia decides to stick to this game plan. Perhaps a few line-up changes are required – out with the old and in with the new, I say.

Australia will face the West Indies at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Friday 28 March.

close