Head Coach McDonald Seen Fielding As Short-Staffed Australia Wins T20 WC Warmup Match vs Namibia
Australia's T20 World Cup warm-up match against Namibia at Trinidad¡¯s Queen¡¯s Park Oval presented a unique challenge, as they fielded a nine-man team supplemented by four support staff members. Despite this unusual situation, Australia comfortably secured victory.
Australia, led by opener David Warner¡¯s unbeaten 54, chased down Namibia's total of 119-9 with ease. They reached 123-3 in just 10 overs, winning by seven wickets. Namibia, sent in to bat first, struggled against the Australian bowlers.
Several key players, including Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell, were given extra time at home following the IPL. As a result, chief selector and former captain George Bailey, head coach Andrew McDonald, and fielding coach Andre Borovec took to the field. Bailey, a former international cricketer known for his fielding skills, and Borovec, a former wicketkeeper for Geelong, were among those who stepped in.
Bailey and Borovec were joined by batting coach Brad Hodge and head coach McDonald when Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood took time off the field.
Hazlewood, playing his first game in three months, shared his thoughts with cricket.com.au, saying, "Obviously, we didn't have a full quota of players but the guys who played, probably a few of us needed to coming off a big layoff. I know a number of the bowlers were coming off a long break which is pretty unusual in our system, but it's good to get out there, playing is always different to training."
He continued, "The wicket looked a little bit tough early, a little bit slow, which is probably what we're going to encounter here in the West Indies. So a nice hit out, got the result and we move onto the West Indies in a few days."
Australia's Test and ODI skipper Cummins, Head, and Starc had participated in the IPL final in Chennai just days before.
Despite the unusual circumstances and the involvement of support staff, Australia¡¯s performance remained unaffected, showcasing their depth and readiness for the upcoming challenges in the T20 World Cup.
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