AUSTRALIA VS SCOTLAND, 35TH MATCH T20 WORLD CUP 2024
In a vital Group B match of the T20 World Cup held at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia, Australia clinched a hard-fought victory over Scotland by five wickets. Scotland set their highest-ever T20 World Cup total at 180 for five, but Australia chased it down with only two balls left, preserving their unbeaten streak in the group. Travis Head (68 off 49 balls, with five fours and four sixes) and Marcus Stoinis (59 off 29 balls, with nine fours and two sixes) led the charge with strong half-centuries, confirming England’s advancement to the Super Eights phase alongside Australia. Scotland’s innings benefited from Brandon McMullen’s explosive 60 off 34 balls (featuring two fours and six sixes) and his 89-run second-wicket partnership with opener George Munsey (35).
TOSS-
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first.
AUSTRALIA (Playing XI):
Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (C), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (WK), Ashton Agar (in for Pat Cummins), Mitchell Starc (in for Josh Hazlewood), Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.
SCOTLAND (Playing XI):
George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (C), Matthew Cross (WK), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Chris Sole, Brad Wheal, Safyaan Sharif.
TURNING POINT-
When Scotland reached 138/4 after 15 overs, they seemed on track to score around 200. However, despite a good start in the first two phases, they faltered at the end, managing only 42 runs. This put Australia, who chose to bowl first, in a position to chase what was ultimately a below-par target on a pitch that rewarded hitting through the line.
SCOTLAND-
Power Play: Munsey, McMullen provided a good start
Phase Score:** 54/1 (RR: 9.00, 4s/6s: 3/4)
Ashton Agar, playing his first World Cup game, struck early by getting Michael Jones out in the first over. Overcoming this setback, Brandon McMullen and George Munsey counterattacked brilliantly. The first boundary came in the third over, a six by McMullen. Both batters capitalized on dropped catches, adding 29 runs in the final two Power Play overs, with Munsey notably hitting Glenn Maxwell for two sixes and a four, including a spectacular switch-hit.
Middle Overs: McMullen’s second-fastest half-century of this World Cup
Phase Score: 84/3 (RR: 9.33, 4s/6s: 3/6)
McMullen maintained an aggressive pace even with the field spread out. Utilizing the wind and uneven ground dimensions, he hit Adam Zampa for a six over long-off and Ashton Agar for another one beyond extra cover. He reached his half-century in just 26 balls. Munsey, meanwhile, tried to keep up by sweeping Maxwell for six, but he eventually fell to another Maxwell delivery, concluding an 89-run stand. Adam Zampa then kept things tight, and McMullen’s fiery 34-ball 60 ended soon after, edging an attempted swipe to short third-man.
Death Overs: Berrington Push hard but Australia keep a lid on the hitting
Phase Score:42/1 (RR: 8.4, 4s/6s: 0/2)
Despite an inconsistent fielding performance, Australia controlled the final overs well. Richie Berrington opened the 16th with a six off Agar, but fast bowlers Ellis and Starc restricted Scotland effectively in the last three overs, which produced no boundaries. Berrington’s crucial 42 pushed Scotland to a total of 180.
AUSTRALIA
Power Play: Warner, Marsh fall easily to the chase
Phase Score:36/2 (RR: 6.00, 4s/6s: 5/0)
Australia faced early challenges in their chase as Michael Leask bowled a tight opening over, and David Warner was caught out in the second over. Despite hitting four boundaries soon after, they lost Mitchell Marsh in the final over of the Power Play, ending at 36/2.
Middle Overs: Stoinis and Head Masterclass Chasing
Phase Score: 85/1 (RR: 9.44, 4s/6s: 7/4)
Head initiated with a six, but Scotland struck back, getting Glenn Maxwell out. Stoinis then accelerated the innings, quickly reaching 47 off 24 balls with several boundaries. A critical over saw Stoinis hitting three consecutive big shots off Michael Leask, bringing the required runs down to 60 from the last five overs.
Death Overs: Scotland can’t find a chance to counter Australia’s power
Phase Score:65/2 (RR: 13.92, 4s/6s: 6/4)
Head played a crucial role albeit tempered, reaching his fifty off 45 balls. His three sixes in the 16th over turned the tide definitively in Australia’s favor. He was eventually out for 68, and Stoinis , who scored a brisk 59, followed shortly. Despite this, Australia’s win was secured.
Brief scores:
Scotland 180/5 in 20 overs (Brandon McMullen 60, Richie Berrington 42*; Adam Zampa 1-30) lost to Australia 186/5 in 19.4 overs (Travis Head 68, Marcus Stoinis 59; Mark Watt 2-34) by five wickets.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD-
Marcus Stoinis got the player of the Match for His brilliant Knock .
NEXT-
Australia will have a four-day break before their first Super-8 game on June 20 in Antigua, where they will face either Bangladesh or the Netherlands. Scotland, however, have exited the tournament based on Net Run Rate.