by Rex Clementine
Australia are certain of going through to the second round of the T-20 World Cup following their comfortable 36 run win over England in Barbados on Saturday.
It was a clinical performance by the Aussies. No batter scored a half-century, but all top five chipped in and as a result Australia were able to breach the 200 mark.
There were a few questions asked with England’s bowling with Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood all going over ten runs an over.
Bowling had let down England as chasing 202 proved to be a gigantic task.
Jos Buttler and Phil Salt laid the foundation with 73 runs being added in 7.1 overs. England were on par with the asking rate and looked good to chase down the target.
However, introduction of spin put breaks into their innings. Zampa dismissed both Buttler and Salt in successive overs and the game started drifting away with the new batters struggling to find their feet as soon as they walked in.
Moeen Ali hit three sixes and England had their hopes again, but the asking rate was too much and he had to keep taking chances.
England’s first game against Scotland was washed out by rain and points were shared. Now they have surrendered to Australia. But all hope is not for England. Their next two games are against Oman and Namibia and they should go through.
All England games are in the Caribbean island and they don’t have to bother about countering tricky pitches in the US.
