T20 World Cup: Australia's chief selector and coach forced to play, help in warm-up match win

Australia's first Twenty20 World Cup warm-up match took an unusual turn on Tuesday when the team could only field nine players instead of the standard 11 for their game against Namibia, resulting in the chief selector and coach stepping in to complete the squad. The T20 World Cup starts on Saturday and is being held in the United States and the Caribbean.

At Trinidad’s Queen’s Park Oval, the Australians secured an easy victory. They restricted Namibia to 119-9 after the African team was sent in to bat. Australia, led by David Warner’s unbeaten 54, chased down the target, scoring 123-3 in just 10 overs, winning by seven wickets.

Selection chief George Bailey and fielding coach Andre Borovec, wearing unmarked shirts, joined the field after Australia captain Mitch Marsh won the toss. Bailey, 41, a former international cricketer and one of Australia’s best fielders, and Borovec, 46, a former wicketkeeper for Geelong in the Victorian Premier Cricket league, played as substitutes. Later, Cricket Australia reported that batting coach Brad Hodge and head coach Andrew McDonald also took to the field when Marsh and Josh Hazlewood spent time off.

Australia was missing six World Cup squad members—Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green—who were given time off after their Indian Premier League commitments.

The T20 World Cup starts on Saturday and is being held in the United States and the Caribbean.

Australia win by 7 wickets

Australia’s seven-wicket victory over Namibia in their warm-up game in Trinidad served as a warning to the other 19 participating teams. Despite missing several star players and using coaches as substitute fielders, the 2021 T20 World Cup champions displayed excellent form, chasing down Namibia’s total of 119/9 with 10 overs remaining. David Warner's quickfire half-century (54*) was a highlight, featuring six fours and three massive sixes in just 21 balls, signaling a return to form after a patchy IPL season.

Josh Hazlewood set the tone with an impressive opening spell, taking 2/5 and bowling three maidens. Spinner Adam Zampa continued his good form, claiming 3/25. Namibia managed to surpass 100 runs thanks to some late hitting by Zane Green, who scored 38 off 30 balls with five fours.

In response, Australian openers Mitch Marsh and Warner scored 39 runs within the first three overs. After Marsh (18) and stand-in number three Josh Inglis (5) fell, Tim David contributed 23 off 16 balls, including three fours and a six, keeping the run rate high. Although David was dismissed in the ninth over, Matthew Wade (12*) and Warner ensured a smooth victory.

Elsewhere, the warm-up match between the USA and Bangladesh in Dallas was canceled due to rain, while the Netherlands secured a 20-run victory over Sri Lanka in Florida.

Australia is placed in Group B along with England, Namibia, Scotland, and Oman. They will begin their tournament campaign against Oman on June 5 in Barbados.