Australia storms into Super 8 of T20 World Cup 2024 with crushing win over Namibia

Australia have secured their spot in the second round of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup with a dominant performance against Namibia at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The Aussies demonstrated their prowess in all facets of the game, chasing down Namibia's modest total of 72 in under six overs.

Spinner Adam Zampa was the standout player, making history by taking four wickets and helping bowl out Namibia in 17 overs. Captain Mitch Marsh, having finally won a toss after losing the previous two, chose to field first. This decision paid off handsomely as Australia seized control early, taking three wickets for just 17 runs in the first six overs. Josh Hazlewood was particularly effective, claiming 2/10 in his three-over Powerplay spell.

Zampa then took center stage, dismantling Namibia's middle order and leaving them at 21/5 after nine overs with the dismissal of wicket-keeper Zane Green. Although Namibia's captain Gerhard Erasmus managed to hit a rare boundary, the team was still struggling at 5/31 by the 10-over mark. The trouble deepened with the quick succession of wickets, highlighted by Zampa's skillful bowling and sharp fielding from Hazlewood.

Ruben Trumpelmann attempted to counter Zampa with a massive 97-meter six, but he fell to Glenn Maxwell the very next ball, giving Zampa his third wicket. Zampa completed his four-wicket haul in the same over by dismissing Bernard Scholtz, achieving remarkable figures of 4/12 and reaching the milestone of 100 T20I wickets—the first Australian man to do so, joining Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry in this elite club.

Despite the wickets falling around him, Erasmus' patient 36 off 43 balls gave Namibia a fighting chance. However, Namibia was all out in 17 overs after Marcus Stoinis dismissed Ben Shikongo. Alongside Zampa's four wickets, Hazlewood (2), Stoinis (2), Pat Cummins (1), and Nathan Ellis (1) also contributed to the Aussies' impressive bowling display.

Australia’s batting response was equally aggressive. Although David Warner was dismissed after a brief flurry of boundaries, Travis Head continued the assault with a series of powerful shots, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 17 balls. Supported by Marsh’s quickfire 18 off 9 balls, Australia comfortably chased down the target, completing their victory within six overs.