Kandy, Feb 20 (UNI) It has been a troubled campaign for Australia, but the former champions ended T20 World Cup on a high, as they beat Oman by nine wickets here on Friday night.
Battered by injuries before and during the tournament, Australia missed out on Super Eight slot after losing to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
On Friday, in their final group game, Australia chased down a modest target of 105 in 9.4 overs. Captain Mitchell Marsh led the way, galloping to a half-century in 26 balls and finished with an unbeaten 64 off 33.
Australia struck 15 fours and four sixes to romp to the finish line. His opening partner Travis Head fell for 32, off a brilliant caught and bowled by Shakeel Ahmed.
After electing to field, Australia quickly stamped their authority on the game. Xavier Bartlett castled Aamir Kaleem off the first ball of the innings and Oman were pegged to 47/3 in powerplay.
The Asian side wasn’t been able to put together a substantial partnership together and was bowled out for 104 in 16.2 overs.
Wasim Ali top scored with 32, but none of the other batters were able to go past 20. Six of the batters were out bowled, equalling the record of such dismissals in T20 World Cup history.
Glenn Maxwell, who hasn’t had the best of World Cups, snapped his 50th T20I wicket, when he trapped Mohammad Nadeem leg before wicket. He has been Australia’s premier all-rounder in the last few years, bringing up the milestone to go with 50 catches and 2500 runs in the shortest format.
Oman especially struggled to read Adam Zampa, and the leg-spinner finished with 4/21 in 3.2 overs and was adjudged the Player of the Match.
