David Warner’s form slump has continued but Australia have held on to clinch a three-wicket win over New Zealand in their Twenty20 World Cup opening warm-up clash at Abu Dhabi.
The opener was caught behind off the first ball of the innings in an ominous start to Australia’s run chase after New Zealand posted a competitive 7-158.
Indeed Australia looked in trouble after losing 3-1 – including the prized scalps of Steve Smith (35) and Marcus Stoinis (28) – to slump to 6-115 in the 16th over.
But after Ashton Agar (23) was dismissed with Australia needing eight runs to win off three balls, Josh Inglis coolly stepped up to thrash Kyle Jamieson for consecutive fours and ice a morale-boosting win with a delivery to spare.
There will still be concern for Warner ahead of Australia’s opening World Cup clash with South Africa on Saturday night (AEDT).
He has had little time in the middle since being dumped as captain of Indian Premier League outfit Sunrisers Hyderabad and then left out of the team completely after two failures when the tournament resumed last month.
He lasted just one ball on Tuesday morning (AEDT), sensationally caught in the slips by a diving Martin Guptill off Tim Southee.
(Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Captain Aaron Finch hit 24 off 19 while Mitch Marsh thrashed 24 off 15 to lead a recovery before Smith and Stoinis shared a 48-run fourth-wicket stand.
Mitchell Santner (3-22) took two wickets in an over, combining with Trent Boult (2-13) to spark Australia’s mini-collapse before Agar and Mitchell Starc (13 not out) hit back, ensuring they needed 13 to win off the final over.
Australia claimed a rare T20 victory without using Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitch Swepson and Josh Hazlewood.
Australia – who play another warm-up against India on Wednesday (AEDT) – have fallen from top spot to seventh in the T20 rankings with just six wins from their past 21 games.
Earlier, leggie Adam Zampa (2-17) and quick Kane Richardson (3-24) did their best to restrict New Zealand after Australia won the toss.
Zampa removed Guptill (30 off 20 balls) and captain Kane Williamson (37 off 30).
Richardson also provided coach Justin Langer food for thought ahead of their tournament opener by claiming the last three scalps including two in the final over.
The Black Caps got off to a flyer thanks to Guptill and fellow opener Daryl Mitchell, who retired on 33 not out off 22 balls.
Mitchell took a liking to Mitch Marsh (0-53 off four overs), hitting three fours and a six in an over that cost the Aussie 25 runs.
Late hitting from James Neesham (31 off 18 balls) ensured a competitive target.
Clear as mud
Guest
young Will if fit, Harry the Horrible if not 12th will be Neser or Patto
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Haha in fact I'm pretty sure it's one of the major reasons Australia picked him so he didn't go to England. He would be eligible I think.
Republican
Guest
Makes no difference to Australia's prospects whether or not Warner is in the mix. The Aussies won't make the quarters with or without him. NZ will though.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Found out the other day that Inglis is a Pom who supports England. Funny old world. :stoked:
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Australia was ranked 1 in T20is? I’d forgotten already. Australia claimed a rare T20 victory without using Mitch Swepson? Huh? Kane Richardson took a couple of wickets at the end of a Mickey Mouse warmup game - no limit on reserves playing - and that should give Langer food for thought?. I guess AAP has to fill up the column inches somehow. Seems Foxtel didn’t show this one though it has been showing other warmup games.
Free2fly
Guest
So we get younger by picking a batsman in Uzzy who is a total of 2 months younger than Warner. Warner is out of form but he is still a classy batsman and given the lack of games over past 24 months it is difficult to know whether this is a temporary lack of form or he has just lost it as he has aged. I think that we at least need to give him a shot.
Frank Delosa
Guest
Oh I completely forgot about that SA tour that cost AUS the test championship! Wow I am a fool! So, having said that do you think the Test XI wil be: Warner Harris/Uzzy/Puc/Street Labs Smithy Head Green Paine Cummins Starc Lyno-Lyon Hoff 12th: Stoinis (Warney keeps spruiking him for a test spot)
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, it's madness they seem to be so obsessed with Wade. The only way Wade can play in the t20 side is if he opens. Inglis has that flexibility to bat anywhere in the order.
Jeansyjive
Roar Rookie
Inglis should be ahead of Wade in 20-20, better gloveman, batting better.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I'm also not sure how two IPL matches ever constituted a form slump. Before the COVID break he was in good touch for SRH and NSW. He's no doubt a bit rusty due to lack of match practice but they will give him every chance to find his touch, and so they should. Our chances of winning this tournament are slim as it it. They drop to zero if we don't have Warner firing at some point.
Clear as mud
Guest
where is this Wade focus coming from? He was already dumped, for the SA team. he has done zilch. there is no way Bailey and Dodders will bring him back. as for pushing for relative youth and then promoting Khawaja... well, I just don't know how to respond. fair enough, he is 7 weeks younger... but what a 7 weeks! I remember that period of late 1984, it rained lots, Hawke had just won again, Kim Hughes quit. no wonder Ussie has such a natural advantage over other almost 35yr olds.
Frank delosa
Guest
Warner will score less than 200 runs in the entire Ashes series. He will keep getting picked though. Time to move on from this human and get some younger blood in. Uzzy and Harris firming for Ashes opening pair. Another bad sign for the Ashes is Wade getting out for a duck. He will play the first test and be beaten all ends up by Broad. Meanwhile NSW and VIC are not playing Shield cricket at all. Its like CA wants to lose the Ashes. Guys such as Head in hot form will not be picked. Its like CA Wants to lose the Ashes.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'll bet neither Warner nor the rest of the team care. He did exactly what he was supposed to do in this format; try and belt the cover off the ball from the start of the innings and was out to a great catch. Nothing to see here, move on.
David
Guest
Wouldn’t say it’s poor form continuing. It was first ball, he was going after it and a great catch. Who cares.