Decades Tournament - 2020s Rest of the World v 2020s Australia

 

Australia pulled off a scintillating 2 wicket victory against the Rest of the World to keep their qualification hopes alive in Group K.

Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field first.  The World XI made good use of a green pitch, reaching 342 all out.  Temba Bavuma hit 69 and Rashid Khan 45, with Scott Boland the pick of the bowlers taking 5 for 71.

Australias victory was largely set up by a magnificent 192 from David Warner as Australia made 530 in their first innings.  Marnus Labuschagne hit 85 and Travis Head 70.  Australia had a big lead of 188 but it was almost wiped out without loss as Bavuma and Chandimal put on 175 for the first wicket.  The World XI then slumped from 228 for 1 to 283 for 7 as Mitch Marsh and Nathan Lyon dragged Australia back into the game.  A late stand between Jansen and Nortje meant that the Aussies would need 202 for victory.

Australia reached 182-5 before a late clatter of wickets gave them a little cause for concern.  Lyon and Boland saw them over the line however, to earn a brilliant win in fading light.

Temba Bavuma batted brilliantly throughout the game but David Warners 192 and 28 helped give Australia a platform for their win and so was awarded man of the match.

Rest of the World 2020s: T Bavuma [c]; LD Chandimal; Babar Azam; Shan Masood; Shakib Al Hasan; BKG Mendis [w]; Rashid Khan; M Jansen; AA Nortje; K Rabada; Shaheen Shah Afridi

Australia 2020s: DA Warner; Usman Khawaja; M Labuschagne; SPD Smith; TM Head; AT Carey [w]; MR Marsh; NM Lyon; PJ Cummins [c]; SM Boland; JR Hazlewood

Rest of the World 2020s 1st Innings 342-10 (121 Ov)

T Bavuma 69, Rashid Khan 45, LD Chandimal 39, SM Boland 5-71, PJ Cummins 4-54

Australia 2020s 1st Innings 530-10 (120.5 Ov)

DA Warner 192, M Labuschagne 85, TM Head 70, Shakib Al Hasan 4-35, K Rabada 2-47, Rashid Khan 2-143

Rest of the World 2020s 2nd Innings 389-10 (132.3 Ov)

T Bavuma 127, LD Chandimal 84, M Jansen 36, PJ Cummins 4-101, MR Marsh 3-85, NM Lyon 2-64

Australia 2020s 2nd Innings 203-8 (52.4 Ov)

M Labuschagne 77, MR Marsh 30, DA Warner 28, Rashid Khan 4-60, M Jansen 2-31

Australia 2020s win by 2 wickets

Man of the Match: DA Warner

Group K now reaches its final round, with a thrilling climax in store.  England have already qualified but travel to Bangalore to face India.  The wicket is sure to give the bowlers a chance and it will be interesting to see how well Bazball fares in such conditions.  India would like to win but can still qualify with a draw if things go their way.  Australia are at home in Melbourne and go up against New Zealand.  The Black Caps are already eliminated but would love to play party poopers and beat the Aussies.  Australia must win to have a chance of qualifying and if they do, then they also need India to lose or draw (for a tie breaker).