In a rain-affected warm-up match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday before the ODI World Cup, Australia gained some crucial positives for their campaign. Steve Smith scored a half-century, while paceman Mitchell Starc secured a hat-trick, dismantling the Netherlands’ top order.
The game was delayed due to a wet outfield and shortened to 23 overs per side. Australia, led by Smith’s 55 and Cameron Green’s 34, managed to reach a total of 166-7 before rain disrupted play again. The Netherlands found themselves in trouble at 84-6 from 14.2 overs when the match was eventually called off.
Mitch Marsh to open for Australia in ODI World Cup 2023
Starc, with figures of 3-18, removed key Dutch batsmen Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, and Bas de Leede. This impressive performance came after Starc’s return to the starting eleven following a groin injury.
Australia will be pretty happy the way their warm-up match against the Netherlands went. To start with, there were some cut and changes in the Australian batting order yet the did some impressive job with the bat. Most importantly, seeing Mitchell Starc back in form with a bang would have made Australian captain Pat Cummmins happy.
Cummmins tried many options in the bowling department. Particularly Mitch Marsh who hasn’t bowled much in last few months, was given to chance to open the bowling attack alongside Starc. He finished with a wicket.
To test an extra spinner, Marnus Labuschagne bowled a few overs with some convincing spin and turn. Positively for the team, Labuschagne, too, ended with a wicket. The bowling options are wide open for Australia going into the ODI World Cup 2023.
Similiar to their batting depth, Australia wants multiple bowling options with variety of skills which they have got and testing them all in a warm-up game will only bring benefit to the team.
Meanwhile, the match between hosts India and defending World Cup champions England in Guwahati was abandoned without a single ball being bowled.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat, but rain interrupted proceedings at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The match officials waited until nearly 6 p.m., just 90 minutes before the cut-off time for play, before calling off the contest.
5 Positives For India After ODI Series Win Over Australia
England, despite enduring a long journey with significant layovers, remained optimistic, looking forward to their clash against Bangladesh before their tournament opener against New Zealand. India, targeting their third title, faced the Netherlands in their final warm-up match before the World Cup.
So far, in every warm-up match, rain has made its present felt. In total 5 matches have been played but only two had results, rest three were abandoned due to rain.
