Thiruvananthapuram: After two days of relentless rain here, it was an exaggerated version of T20 that was played between Australia and the Netherlands in the warm-up fixture at the Greenfield stadium on Saturday. The tireless work of the groundsmen almost enabled a 23-overs-a-side contest, but more rain towards the end of the Netherlands innings meant that the match was officially declared a ‘no-result’ encounter. The completion of 20 overs would have constituted a game, but the Dutch were only in the 15th over of their chase.
Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith, though, made the most of the opportunity. While Smith’s well-crafted half-century (42 balls; 4×4, 3×6) helped Australia post 166/7 in 23 overs, it was Starc’s ‘hat-trick’ that exposed the gulf in class between the two teams. The Netherlands’ chase was as good as over in the first over itself. Starc meandered through his run-up and sliced through the Dutch top order. In the fifth ball of the first over, Starc brought one back into Netherlands’ opener Max ODwod and had him adjudged LBW for a golden duck. The next delivery saw Starc beating Wesley Barresi for pace and castling his stumps. The first ball of Starc’s second over, a yorker, knocked off Bas de Leede’s stumps. Netherlands were reduced to 12/3 and never recovered from their horrendous start and were struggling at 84/6 in 14.2 overs when the rain forced players back to the pavilion and the game was abandoned. Starc finished with figures of 3/18 from three overs.
Earlier, Australia shuffled their batting order, giving Smith the opportunity to open the innings. On a sluggish pitch where the ball tended to keep low at times, Smith took time to find his bearings. He saw his opening partner Josh Inglis depart for a duck and Alex Carey joining him at the crease in the first over. Though Carey looked more aggressive of the two in the beginning, Smith began to assert himself once he got a measure of the conditions.
Brief scores: Australia 166/7 in 23 overs ( Smith 55, Green 34, van der Merwe 2/12) vs Netherlands 84/6 (Ackerman 29*, Edwards 14, Starc 3/18); no result
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Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith, though, made the most of the opportunity. While Smith’s well-crafted half-century (42 balls; 4×4, 3×6) helped Australia post 166/7 in 23 overs, it was Starc’s ‘hat-trick’ that exposed the gulf in class between the two teams. The Netherlands’ chase was as good as over in the first over itself. Starc meandered through his run-up and sliced through the Dutch top order. In the fifth ball of the first over, Starc brought one back into Netherlands’ opener Max ODwod and had him adjudged LBW for a golden duck. The next delivery saw Starc beating Wesley Barresi for pace and castling his stumps. The first ball of Starc’s second over, a yorker, knocked off Bas de Leede’s stumps. Netherlands were reduced to 12/3 and never recovered from their horrendous start and were struggling at 84/6 in 14.2 overs when the rain forced players back to the pavilion and the game was abandoned. Starc finished with figures of 3/18 from three overs.
Earlier, Australia shuffled their batting order, giving Smith the opportunity to open the innings. On a sluggish pitch where the ball tended to keep low at times, Smith took time to find his bearings. He saw his opening partner Josh Inglis depart for a duck and Alex Carey joining him at the crease in the first over. Though Carey looked more aggressive of the two in the beginning, Smith began to assert himself once he got a measure of the conditions.
Brief scores: Australia 166/7 in 23 overs ( Smith 55, Green 34, van der Merwe 2/12) vs Netherlands 84/6 (Ackerman 29*, Edwards 14, Starc 3/18); no result
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Australia’s Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc star in rain-hit World Cup warm-up game
Australian batsman Steve Smith scored a half-century in a rain-affected warm-up match, while Mitchell Starc claimed a hat-trick against the Netherlands ahead of the 50-overs World Cup. The match had to be shortened to 23 overs per side due to a waterlogged outfield. Despite the conditions, Australia posted a competitive total of 166-7. The match was called off due to persistent rain. In another match, the game between India and England was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.
Australian batsman Steve Smith scored a half-century in a rain-affected warm-up match, while Mitchell Starc claimed a hat-trick against the Netherlands ahead of the 50-overs World Cup. The match had to be shortened to 23 overs per side due to a waterlogged outfield. Despite the conditions, Australia posted a competitive total of 166-7. The match was called off due to persistent rain. In another match, the game between India and England was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.
‘Steve Smith’s form not a concern but…’: Mitchell Starc
Australian team management is not concerned about Steve Smith’s recent performance on sub-continental tracks. Despite scoring only 0 and 41 in the first two ODIs against India, Mitchell Starc believes Smith’s numbers speak for themselves and he is a high-class player. Starc attributes Australia’s back-to-back defeats to the changing pitch conditions and the challenge of adapting to different venues. He also mentions that adaptability will be key for Australia in finding their form ahead of the World Cup. Starc also expresses confidence in Glenn Maxwell’s ability to make an impact in the tournament.
Australian team management is not concerned about Steve Smith’s recent performance on sub-continental tracks. Despite scoring only 0 and 41 in the first two ODIs against India, Mitchell Starc believes Smith’s numbers speak for themselves and he is a high-class player. Starc attributes Australia’s back-to-back defeats to the changing pitch conditions and the challenge of adapting to different venues. He also mentions that adaptability will be key for Australia in finding their form ahead of the World Cup. Starc also expresses confidence in Glenn Maxwell’s ability to make an impact in the tournament.
Steve Smith’s lean patch is not a concern: Mitchell Starc
Australia is relying on former captain Steve Smith to regain his form ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Smith has struggled in five ODIs this year, scoring only 63 runs at an average of 15.75 with no half-centuries. Despite this, the team remains confident in Smith’s abilities, citing his impressive overall record and suggesting that his lean run may be due to adjusting to different conditions and coming back from a break.
Australia is relying on former captain Steve Smith to regain his form ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Smith has struggled in five ODIs this year, scoring only 63 runs at an average of 15.75 with no half-centuries. Despite this, the team remains confident in Smith’s abilities, citing his impressive overall record and suggesting that his lean run may be due to adjusting to different conditions and coming back from a break.
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