ICC World Cup 2019: Match 10, Australia vs Windies – Who Said What

The match between Australia and Windies turned out to be a closely-fought one. In the end, it was the Aussies, who came out trumps by 15 runs at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Most importantly, Aaron Finch and Co continued with their unbeaten streak in the 2019 World Cup. The Caribbean team was the firm favourites, but let a lot of chances go and hence couldn’t come out trumps.

Australia bail themselves from jail

After being put in to bat first, the Australian batsmen had to go through a rather torrid time in the middle. Oshane Thomas accounted for Aaron Finch’s wicket after which Sheldon Cottrell nipped out David Warner as well. Usman Khawaja started well with a couple of fours, but Andre Russell found his outside edge. Glenn Maxwell didn’t have a clue of a bouncer from Cottrell and he perished for a duck.

Marcus Stoinis smacked four boundaries to get 19 and just when he was starting to ominous, Jason Holder got rid of him. Thereafter, Alex Carey joined Steve Smith in the middle and the duo added 68 runs for the sixth wicket. Russell picked up his second wicket in the form of Carey, who could only manage 45. Thereafter, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Smith stitched together a vital stand of 102 runs.

Thomas gave Australia the big breakthrough as he got rid of Smith after the right-hander scored 73 off 103 deliveries with seven boundaries. Carrying on the good work, Coulter-Nile accomplished his fifty in 41 balls. He was unfortunate to have fallen short of a century, getting out on 92 to Carlos Brathwaite. His knock was laced in 60 balls with eight fours and four sixes. The Aussies were bowled out for 288.

Starc picks up a five-wicket haul

The Windies didn’t make the greatest of starts as Pat Cummins dismissed Evin Lewis, who was in the eleven in place of Darren Bravo. Chris Gayle smacked four boundaries and perished to Mitchell Starc for 21. The Jamaican used the DRS to save himself twice but ran out of luck as he was trapped in front. Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer stitched together a 68-run stand to bring the Windies back into the contest.

Hope took his time initially and he brought up his fifty off 76 balls. Hope ended with 68 with seven fours after which Cummins removed him. Hetmyer succumbed to a run-out. Andre Russell went bonkers to score 15 and gave his wicket away to Starc. At the other end, Holder played some calculated strokes and kept the scoreboard ticking. The Windies captain accomplished a gutsy half-century off 50 deliveries.

Brathwaite played a few dot balls but came into his own to smack Coulter-Nile for a six and then Cummins for a four. The 46th over turned out to be a crucial one as Starc removed Brathwaite and Holder to make the Aussies firm favorites. It all went downhill for the Windies thereafter. Starc castled Sheldon Cottrell to pick up a fifer. By then, the writing was already on the wall for the Caribbeans.

Nathan Coulter-Nile, the Player of the Match, said

No. I did not think I would get that much. I remember Smith being on 81 and me not hanging around in a practice game, so I thought I would stick around a little bit. Played a pull shot the second ball and it went up, luck went my way – couple dropped safely and inside edged a few. That’s the way cricket goes. We back ourselves, we got two world class bowlers and Zamps. We back ourselves to defend anything. I felt it quite hard – the wicket was a bit up and down but settled in and got used to it. They were on the way before Starcy picked 2-3, good move by Finch to bring him on then. He is a fantastic bowler and credit goes to him.

Aaron Finch, the Australia captain, said

We just kept hanging in there. From 4 for 30 odd to be able to fightback and then partnership between Smith and Carey. And that innings of Coulter-Nile was exceptional. Even with the ball we hung in there. Absolutely, I was nervous when they were coming at us at 30/4. You have to keep taking wickets against West Indies since they are so destructive. With the bowl, we have few areas to improve. I thought some of the short balls weren’t high enough. To still come out with 2 points with a lot of improvement to do is a real positive for us.

Jason Holder, the Windies captain, said  

Ya, obviously we are disappointed. Few irresponsible shots. Still lot of positives came out of this match. We dropped Coulter-Nile when he was 60 odd that was one of the pivotal moments. Batsmen should have taken responsibility and chased down the total. It is early days in tournament, competition is wide open.