World Cup 2019: Despite his exploits against WI, Nathan Coulter-Nile feels he could be dropped for India clash

Till he came out to bat against the West Indies in Nottingham on Thursday, Nathan Coulter-Nile’s highest score in ODIs was 34. But at Trent Bridge on that day, the all-rounder came out with his career-best batting score of 92 in only 60 balls to turn the tables around for Australia against the Caribbeans. The 31-year-old, however, didn’t lose his ground touch after producing the heroics at No.8 and still fears that he could be dropped from the team’s next game which is against India.

At Trent Bridge, Australia was tottering at 79 for 5 and then 147 for 6 when Coulter-Nile walked in. The batsman at the other end, Steve Smith, had held the innings together and needed support. In less than 14 overs between the 31st and 45th, the duo added 102 runs the lion-share of which came off the junior partner’s bat. Australia was eventually all out for 288 in 49 overs and they went on to win the game by 15 runs. Coulter-Nile, however, proved to be the most expensive bowler for his team as he conceded 70 runs in 10 overs but yet was adjudged the man of the match.

After his memorable outing, the pacer surprised all in an interview with Cricket Australia saying he won’t be shocked if he gets overlooked for the next game at the Oval on Sunday.

‘I am not in the team to make runs’

“We’ve got two world-class bowlers (Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson). I’m not in the team to make runs, hopefully, the top order does that, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I got dropped for the next game. I’m in the team to take wickets and I’ve had two wicketless games, so we’ll see how we go,” he said.

Coulter-Nile also conceded that it is good to have competition in the team for it keeps all on their toes and makes them strive hard. Coulter-Nile didn’t get a wicket in Australia’s opening game against Afghanistan in Bristol on June 1 after he took three wickets in the two warm-up games against the West Indies and England prior to the tournament’s beginning.

For Australia, left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc is in a good form in this World Cup with six wickets from two games, including one fifer against the Caribbeans. Pat Cummins to has done well by picking five so far.

Australia, who were not given much of a chance ahead of the World Cup, has won two in two and are sitting in the second place of the points table after New Zealand who also has four points but is ahead in net run-rate.