Australia dismantle Namibia to book place in Super 8s

Spinner Adam Zampa is congratulated by teammates after becoming first Australian to 100 T20I wickets

Australia were clinical and remorseless in their dismantling of Namibia in the sides’ first-ever faceoff in a T20I, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Tuesday.

Player of the Match Adam Zampa took 4 for 12 becoming the first Australian men’s player to 100 T20I wickets, as Namibia folded for a paltry 72 in 17 overs. The 2021 champions then hunted down the score in 5.4 overs, sealing qualification to the Super 8s from Group B. The defeat meant Namibia were eliminated.

Piling pressure on the Namibians’ top order, Josh Hazlewood was lethal with the ball, taking 2/10, bowling three overs inside the Powerplay.

Zampa joined the party soon after, as the Aussies continued displaying their supreme bowling depth. Namibia slumped to 21/5 off nine overs with the removal of wicket-keeper Zane Green.

Captain Gerhard Erasmus then scored a rare boundary as Namibia got to 31-5 at the 10-over mark. But when Zampa and Hazlewood combined for the sixth wicket, the second ball after drinks, the African side found themselves in even more trouble. It was a crisp outfield catch from Hazlewood for Zampa’s second wicket.

Scores: Namibia 72 (17) (Gerhard Erasmus 36, Josh Hazlewood 2/18, Marcus Stoinis 2/9, Adam Zampa 4/12)

Australia 74-1 (5.4) (David Warner 20, Travis Head 34*)