Key events
Teams
Australia XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stonis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Namibia XI: Michael van Lingen, Nikolaas Davin, Jan Frylinck, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green (wk), David Wiese, Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Bernard Scholtz, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo.
Australia have mostly stuck with the XI that dismantled England with some explosive batting, then a spin masterclass from Adam Zampa, with Mitchell Starc rested today and Nathan Ellis coming in for a run.
Catch up on how Australia got the job done against England to put one foot in the Super Eight stage:
We’re about 20 minutes away from play getting under way in Antigua, but a wet outfield is causing a delay in Florida where Nepal and Sri Lanka are trying to get a game in. They might even have to resort to a five-overs-a-side match, which would be unfortunate for the teams but I suspect quite fun to watch.
Australia win the toss and elect to field first
Mitch Marsh calls “heads” and decides that Australia will bowl first.
“It looks like a nice wicket,” Marsh says, in ominous signs for Namibia.
Nathan Ellis in for Mitch Starc is Australia’s only change from the commanding win over England. “He didn’t quite pull up from the last match, so taking the safe approach there,” Marsh says.
Namibia have made three changes, while Gerhard Erasmus says they would have bowled first as well. The Eagles’ captain smiles at the idea of adding to the long list of upsets that have already taken place at this T20 World Cup.
In news that might pique the interest of Australian fans if no one else, their old foes and the defending champions are on the brink of missing out on the Super Eight stage.
More on England’s hopes and the calculations that will see them progress or otherwise:
Preamble
Martin Pegan
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Australia and Namibia meeting in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage match.
First ball at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua is 10:30am AEST (Tuesday June 11, 8:30pm local time).
Australia are flying high in Group B after a crushing victory over arch-rivals England although that followed a less convincing win over Oman in their tournament opener. A third consecutive triumph in the clash with Namibia would secure Mitch Marsh’s side’s progress to the Super Eight stage.
Namibia need an upset to keep their hopes of progressing to the next phase alive, after falling short against Scotland. But Gerhard Erasmus’ unpredictable side impressed in a thrilling Super Over victory against Oman that clinched Namibia’s first-ever win at a T20 World Cup.
The teams and toss will drop in about 15 minutes, but if you want to get in touch now or throughout the match, please email [email protected] or HMU on X / Twitter @martinpegan
