In a rain-affected warm-up match leading up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Australia faced off against Netherlands at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Persistent rain had disrupted the match, resulting in a shortened contest of 23 overs per side.
Australia’s Innings
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia posted a total of 166 for seven in their allotted 23 overs. Steven Smith played a pivotal role, smashing 55 runs off 42 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. Smith’s partnership with Alex Carey (28 off 25) contributed 57 runs for the second wicket. Cameron Green (34) and Mitchell Starc (24*) also made valuable contributions, propelling Australia’s score. Notable bowling performances for Netherlands came from Logan van Beek (2-35), Roelof van der Merwe (2-12), and Bas de Leede (2-25).
Netherlands’ Response
In response, Netherlands had a challenging task ahead as they were reduced to 15 for four, primarily due to the brilliance of Mitchell Starc. Starc claimed a remarkable hat-trick, dismissing Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, and de Leede in quick succession. However, a 31-run partnership between Sybrand Engelbrecht and skipper Scott Edwards showed resilience. Colin Ackermann top-scored with an unbeaten 31 off 37 balls, guiding Netherlands to 84 for six in 14.2 overs when heavy rains interrupted play. Mitchell Starc was the standout bowler for Australia, finishing with figures of 3-18.
The match ended with Australia victorious, thanks to their efforts with both bat and ball, even in the challenging rain-interrupted conditions.
As the warm-up matches continue, cricket fans eagerly anticipate the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where these teams will face more challenges and exciting encounters on the global stage.
