Tag: australia

Captain Mitchell Marsh crashed a belligerent 64 off 33 balls as Australia finished their dismal T20 World Cup with a nine-wicket romp past Oman in Kandy on Friday.

Marsh reached his fifty inside the six-over power play and hit four sixes and seven fours in all as Australia, having bowled out Oman for 104, raced to 108-1 with more than 10 overs to spare.

Fellow opener Travis Head made 32 and Josh Inglis 12 not out but the win against a 20th-ranked Oman side will be scant consolation after a chaotic campaign in Sri Lanka.

A depleted Australia failed to make the second phase for only the second time in the event’s history after defeats to Zimbabwe and co-hosts Sri Lanka.

“As I’ve said a few times, it’s a bitterly disappointed change room,” said Marsh.

“Like every team, we built towards this for two years. Unfortunately, in a couple of key games, we just didn’t play our best cricket.”

Australia arrived after being drubbed 3-0 in Pakistan and without injured fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

They then lost Marsh for the first two games after he was hit during practice and suffered testicular bleeding.

Australia’s acerbic media did not hold back in their criticism after their fate was sealed when Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was washed out on Tuesday, citing selection “stuff-ups”.

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Chief among those was sticking with the woefully out-of-form Cameron Green and promoting Tim David to number four as a “power hitter” when he had not played since December because of a hamstring injury.

Glenn Maxwell, so often a match-winner with the bat in the past, struggled for runs and the Australians dearly missed the experience of Cummins and Hazlewood.

Matt Renshaw was Australia’s top run scorer in the first two group matches, but he was bewilderingly dropped for the must-win Sri Lanka clash on Monday.

After Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl, Australia’s Xavier Bartlett took a wicket with the first ball of the Oman innings, bowling Aamir Kaleem.

Bartlett took 2-27 and Adam Zampa 4-21 as Oman were routed for 104 in 16.2 overs with Wasim Ali top scoring on 32.

“It’s been a really tough few days. There are some pretty quiet voices around the group right now,” said Zampa, who was named player of the match.

“We’re feeling flat about the World Cup ending so early for us

“I’m pretty disappointed overall. I’m certainly not ready to be flying home tomorrow.”

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PALLEKELE: Zimbabwe booked their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after their crucial Group B clash against Ireland was washed out due to rain at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, a result that officially ended Australia’s campaign.

The abandoned match handed one point each to both teams, taking Zimbabwe to five points and confirming them as the second side from Group B to advance, alongside Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, this result sealed Australia’s fate, who were already under pressure after defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Their qualification hopes depended on Zimbabwe losing to both Ireland and Oman, which would have kept the race open on four points.

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Australia would then have needed a convincing win over Oman in their final group match to progress on net run rate.

However, the shared points between Zimbabwe and Ireland shut that door completely. Even a win in their last fixture can now only take Australia to four points, leaving them mathematically out of contention.

It marks the second time Australia have crashed out in the group stage of a Men’s T20 World Cup.

Ireland, meanwhile, also bowed out of the tournament. With just one victory — against Oman, they finished their campaign with three points.

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KANDY: Australia men’s cricket team find themselves in a tricky position after a shock defeat to Zimbabwe on February 13, leaving their hopes of reaching the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 hanging in the balance.

The upset has blown Group B wide open, with four teams still in contention for the two qualification spots.

Australia are currently placed third in the group, behind Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, holding two points from two matches with a net run rate of 1.100.

However, the 23-run loss has put them at real risk of an early exit.

How can Australia qualify?

Australia are set to face Sri Lanka on February 16 and Oman on February 20, needing victories in both of their matches.

If they win these two matches, they can finish on six points, but qualification may then be decided by net run rate.

If Sri Lanka defeat Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe beat Ireland, leaving Australia, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe tied on six points while Ireland finish on two.

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For a clearer path to the Super Eights, Australia would want either Sri Lanka to lose to Zimbabwe or Zimbabwe to lose to Ireland.

In both cases, only one other team would reach six points, significantly improving Australia’s chances of progressing.

What if they lose to Sri Lanka?

Even a defeat against Sri Lanka would not immediately end Australia’s campaign, but it would leave them relying heavily on other outcomes.

If Australia finish on four points, assuming they defeat Oman, Zimbabwe must lose both of their remaining fixtures against Ireland and Sri Lanka.

That combination would put Sri Lanka on eight points, while Australia, Zimbabwe, and Ireland would battle for the second qualifying spot with four points each, likely decided by net run rate.

With the group finely poised, Australia remain alive but walking a tightrope.

Their margin for error is minimal, and both performance and mathematics will determine whether they can avoid a rare early exit from the tournament.

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COLOMBO: A disciplined bowling display led by Blessing Muzarabani and a composed half-century from Brian Bennett steered Zimbabwe to a memorable 23-run victory over Australia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

The result marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, as Zimbabwe outplayed the former champions in all departments to continue their impressive run.

Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe produced a confident batting effort to post a competitive 169-2.

Opener Brian Bennett anchored the innings with a steady 64 off 56 deliveries, striking seven boundaries.

He found solid support from Tadiwanashe Marumani and Ryan Burl, who contributed 35 runs apiece, while captain Sikandar Raza added late impetus with an unbeaten 25 off just 13 balls.

For Australia, only Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis managed to pick up wickets as Zimbabwe built a strong foundation.

Australia’s chase began on a disastrous note as Muzarabani and Brad Evans struck early, sharing four wickets to leave Australia struggling at 29-4 inside five overs.

A fighting 77-run stand between Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw briefly revived the chase, but the rising required rate kept mounting pressure.

Maxwell scored 31 off 32 before being clean bowled by Ryan Burl, while Renshaw’s determined 65 off 44 ended when Muzarabani struck again, effectively sealing the contest. Australia were eventually bowled out for 146.

Muzarabani finished with four wickets, while Evans claimed three. Wellington Masakadza and Ryan Burl chipped in with one wicket each to complete a clinical bowling performance.

Interestingly, this was only the second T20 World Cup meeting between the two sides, with Zimbabwe now holding a perfect 2-0 record after also defeating Australia in the inaugural 2007 edition.

With back-to-back wins, including their earlier victory over Oman, Zimbabwe have strengthened their chances of progressing to the next round. They are set to face Ireland and Sri Lanka in their remaining group fixtures.

Australia, meanwhile, must win both of their remaining matches against Sri Lanka and Oman to keep their Super Eight hopes alive.

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COLOMBO: Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa’s four-wicket hauls skittled Ireland for a mere score as Australia started their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 67-run win over Ireland in the 14th match here at the RPS Stadium on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, Australia racked up 182-6 in their 20 overs, despite the absence of their regular skipper, Mitchell Marsh, who was ruled out due to injury.

After losing Travis Head early in the piece, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis stabilized the innings with a brisk 49-run partnership off 23 balls.

The scorecard read 56 when Green was dismissed after managing 21 from 11 with the help of two sixes.

Ireland bowlers quickly maintained their composure to leave Australia in a mess with four down for 88 in 9.3 overs.

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George Dockrell and Harry Tector combined to dismiss Josh Inglis (37 from 17) and Glenn Maxwell (9).

After quick wickets, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis launched a recovery with a 61 run parntership.

The pair propelled the scorecard to 149 runs in 16.5 overs. The stand eventually culminated with Renshaw’s wicket, who made 37 from 33 balls.

Marcus Stoinis, meanwhile, with his blitz, ensured that Australia finished strong.

In reply, Ireland were bowled out for 115 in 16.5 overs.

Ireland suffered an early blow as their captain, Paul Stirling, went back to the pavilion after retiring hurt.

Australia pacer Nathan Ellis tore through the top and middle order, picking up four wickets for just 12 runs.

The early blows never allowed Ireland’s batters to settle as they were reduced to 43-5 in 6.5 overs.

George Dockrell and Lorcan Tucker tried to arrest the slide with a 46-run partnership. The pair brought the total to 89 in 13.4 overs.

The stand ended with Tucker’s wicket, who made 24 from 27 balls.

Following the wicket, Ireland’s innings quickly unraveled with Ellis taking the last wicket.

Besides Ellis, Zampa also shone with the ball, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.

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HOBART: Pakistan men’s hockey team endured another setback in their FIH Pro League 2025-26 campaign, falling 3-2 to Australia at the Tasmania Hockey Centre on Tuesday.

Australia took control early, with Tim Brand scoring in the first quarter to put the hosts ahead. Tim Brand doubled the lead in the second quarter, giving Australia a 2-0 advantage as they dominated the opening half of the match.

Pakistan mounted a spirited comeback in the final quarter, with Ahmad Nadeem and Sufyan Khan netting goals within five minutes to level the scores at 2-2, raising hopes of a draw.

However, Australia clinched the victory in dramatic fashion when Blake Govers converted a penalty stroke in the dying moments, sealing a 3-2 win.

The defeat leaves the Pakistan hockey team winless in the tournament so far.

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Pakistan will look to regroup as they face Germany on February 11, before taking on Australia again on February 13 and Germany once more on February 14.

For the unversed, before arriving in Australia, the side had suffered four consecutive losses during the Argentina leg, including defeats against hosts Argentina and the Netherlands.

Their campaign began with a 5-2 loss to the defending champions, the Netherlands, followed by a narrow 3-2 defeat to Argentina and a 7-3 loss in a high-scoring rematch against the Dutch.

In their final game of the first leg, Pakistan suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Argentina.

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Australia’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have suffered a significant blow, with experienced fast bowler Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out of the tournament just days before their campaign begins.

The development comes only five days ahead of Australia’s opening fixture against Ireland, further complicating the team’s build-up to the global event.

Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed Hazlewood’s withdrawal, stating that a final decision regarding his replacement will be announced in due course.

His absence adds to Australia’s growing injury concerns, particularly after Pat Cummins was also sidelined earlier, leaving a noticeable gap in the team’s pace attack.

Hazlewood’s unavailability is a major setback considering the form he carried into 2026.

The right-arm pacer enjoyed an impressive 2025 season, playing a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Indian Premier League (IPL) title-winning campaign and delivering strong performances in the T20I series against South Africa, New Zealand and India.

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Over the year, he picked up 12 wickets at an average of 16.58, maintaining an economy rate of 7.37, while proving especially effective in the powerplay with eight wickets at an economy of 6.72.

Among his standout performances were match-defining spells of 3 for 27 against South Africa in Darwin and 3 for 13 against India in Melbourne, underlining his value in high-pressure situations.

However, injuries have plagued Hazlewood’s recent months. He initially sustained a hamstring strain during the final Sheffield Shield match leading up to the Ashes and later encountered Achilles tendon issues during his recovery.

Despite aiming to regain full fitness in time for the T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia revealed that the latest medical evaluations indicated he was still not ready for competitive cricket.

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BULAWAYO: Skipper Thomas Rew led from the front with a sublime century, ably backed by the bowlers, to power England to a 27-run victory over Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 here at the Queens Sports Club.

Set stiff 278, Australia fell short and were bowled out for 250 in 47.3 overs despite their skipper Olivier Peake’s spirited batting effort.

Notably, this is the first time since 1998 that England U19 have qualified for the final.

Will Malajczuk and Nitesh Samuel added 32 for the opening wicket in 5.4 overs. Malajczuk was trapped lbw after scoring 15 from 12 balls.

The next wicket also fell in quick succession as Steven Hogan was caught after managing just three from 23 balls.

As a result, Australia were under pressure early in their innings with 47-2 in 12.3 overs.

But Oliver Peake and Nitesh Samuel launched a recovery with a 62-run partnership and put the chase back on track.

The scorecard read 109 in 24.3 overs when Ralphie Albert provided the much-needed breakthrough in the form of Samuel’s wicket. He was out stumped after scoring 47 from 83 balls with the aid of a six and three fours.

The wicket brought England back into the mix as Australia lost two more wickets in quick succession. Consequently, they were reduced to 134-5 in 31.4 overs with Peake standing firm at one end.

He stitched a vital 46-run stand with Aryan Sharma for the sixth wicket partnership that revived their chase.

But Aryan’s brisk knock was ended on the fourth ball of the 37th over as England sniffed an opening. He made 34 from 23 with the aid of six fours.

England chipped in with a couple of more wickets, and Australia were left tottering for 207-8 in 42.1 overs.

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Australia’s hopes were all on Peak, who was standing firm and with his side requiring an uphill task to climb — 54 required from 30 balls, he did something magical to put his team back in the game.

In the 46th over of the game, Peak took on Lumsden for a six and four consecutive boundaries to bring down the equation to 32 from 24 balls.

However, he ran out of partners at the other end despite reaching his century, and eventually was caught at covers as the Three Lions sealed a memorable win.

The left-hander top-scored for his side with 100 off 88 balls, including a six and 10 fours.

For England, Sebastian Morgan and James Minto remained the standout bowlers with two wickets to their name.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, England racked up 277-7 in 50 overs.

England were put in early trouble at 60-3 in 14 overs when their captain Thomas Rew was joined by Caleb Falconer. The pair forged a 135-run partnership that laid a foundation for a strong total.

The stand eventually culminated in the 35th over with Calob Falconer’s wicket. The all-rounder made 40 off 53 with the aid of four boundaries.

Despite his wicket, Rew continued on and went on to score a century. His knock ended in the 42nd over. He managed 110 from 107 balls, peppered with 14 fours and a six.

In Australia, Hayden Schiller and Naden Cooray took a brace. Meanwhile, Aryan Sharma and Hayden Schiller took one wicket each.

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LAHORE: Pakistan produced a ruthless all-round performance to outclass Australia in the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, sealing the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Defending a competitive 198-5, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by a dominant spin effort, dismantled Australia for just 108 in 15.4 overs, handing the visitors a crushing 90-run defeat.

Cameron Green top-scored for Australia with a 20-ball 35, followed by Matthew Short, who made 27 off 23 deliveries.

Other than them, only skipper Mitchell Marsh (18) and Xavier Bartlett (10) managed to reach double figures.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan claimed three wickets each, while Usman Tariq bagged two.

Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz also contributed with one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha made the most of winning the toss and opting to bat first, as the hosts posted a commanding total on the back of his aggressive knock and a late surge from wicketkeeper Usman Khan.

Pakistan had a shaky start, losing Sahibzada Farhan for 5 in the second over with only 17 on the board. However, Agha quickly took control alongside Saim Ayub, and the pair ensured the innings did not lose momentum in the powerplay.

Agha dominated the stand, while Ayub played a brisk cameo before falling on the penultimate ball of the powerplay. The left-hander struck 23 off 11 balls, hitting four boundaries, before being dismissed by Cooper Connolly.

Pakistan then suffered another setback when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for 2, briefly putting pressure on the hosts at 76/3 in 7.1 overs.

But Agha continued his counter-attack and shifted the momentum decisively with a rapid partnership with Shadab Khan.

The Pakistan skipper brought up his sixth T20I fifty in just 25 balls, eventually top-scoring with a blazing 76 off 40 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes.

Australia finally got relief when Sean Abbott removed Agha in the 13th over, ending a threatening 49-run stand.

At the back end, Usman Khan ensured Pakistan finished strongly, registering his second T20I half-century with a composed yet fluent 52 off 35 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

He also stitched a crucial 63-run partnership with Shadab, who contributed 28 off 20 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a quick 10 off 4 to push Pakistan to 198.

For Australia, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott picked up a wicket each.

In reply, Australia never looked settled as Pakistan’s bowlers struck regularly and kept the scoring under control, eventually bundling the visitors out for 108 to wrap up the series with a match to spare.

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Cricket Australia (CA) had to make last-minute changes to their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad after star pacer Pat Cummins was ruled out of the tournament on Saturday.

Meanwhile, batter Matthew Renshaw has come into the squad at the expense of Matt Short, thanks to the former’s impressive showing in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL) season 15.

Test skipper Cummins only played one of the five Ashes Tests against England over the Australian summer as he slowly recovers from a lower back injury.

He was hoping to be fit for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka beginning on February 7, but has run out of time and been replaced by Ben Dwarshuis.

“With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,” selector Tony Dodemaide said.

“We believe his ability to swing the ball at a good pace, along with clever variations, will be well-suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad.”

The only other change to the provisional squad named this month sees Renshaw come in for Short, who has paid the price for his ordinary performances in the Big Bash League (BBL).

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“Matt (Renshaw) has impressed in all formats of late, including in multiple roles in white ball formats for Australia, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat,” Dodemaide said.

“With the top order settled and spin-heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle-order support, with Tim David completing his return to play programme in the early phase of the tournament.”

Big-hitter David is on the comeback trail from a hamstring injury.

The squad is spin-heavy in preparation for the sub-continent conditions, with left-armer Matt Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly complementing chief tweaker Adam Zampa and part-timer Glenn Maxwell.

Australia’s group-stage matches are all being played in Sri Lanka. They open their account against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.

Squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

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