Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Marsh: Zampa is 'probably our most important player'

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Wednesday, 12 June 2024 00:56
They overcame a small wobble to win convincingly, completely outplayed their higher-seeded group opponent and now dispatched a lower-ranked team with clinical ease. Australia can lay claim to having had the most serene path so far in T20 World Cup 2024, a marked contrast to living on the edge as they have done in recent global events.

Things could change, of course, come the Super Eight but Australia are a well-drilled side with, seemingly, all bases covered. Pat Cummins was able to have the first game off; there was no need to push a sore Mitchell Starc into this one. Others could now get a rest against Scotland ahead of the next stage, which sees three games in six days for all the teams who make it.

Namibia were not expected to be a roadblock, but this tournament has thrown up the unexpected quite frequently. This, however, was not going to be a night for anything to be added to that list. Australia's powerplay bowling was relentless; Adam Zampa helped himself to the middle and lower order; the fielding was outstanding and the chase brutal.

Zampa, becoming Australia's first male player to 100 T20I wickets, took the plaudits with the Player-of-the-Match award - his second in two games - and from his captain. Like in the ODI World Cup, he has so far operated as the lone frontline spinner, supported by Glenn Maxwell's offspin.

"If you look at his career, especially over the last five years, he's probably our most important player," Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said at the post-match presentation. "He loves the big moment, loves the pressure, and that comes with experience. He's bowling beautifully at the moment, so we're lucky to have him."

It took 24 minutes and less than six overs to knock off the target. Run rate was of no concern, or benefit, for Australia (whether they take note of England's in a few days' time is another thing entirely) but they were in no mood to hang around. Perhaps they can squeeze in another of Antigua's 365 beaches before hopping over to St Lucia.

"I think in the back of your head turning up today, that's how the day should go for us," Josh Hazlewood said. "And it's one thing thinking that, it's another thing actually going out and doing it. So, it was up to us to set the tone as the bowling group and to have them 3 for 16 [15], 5 for 20-odd really sort of set that tone. Then obviously we've got the freedom with the bat to chase a lowish score as quickly as possible but yeah, it's good to get a win like that."
Gerhard Erasmus, the Namibia captain who was made to sweat 17 balls to get off the mark, did not shy away from the result and conceded his team had not played their best throughout the competition, which started with a Super Over win against Namibia and then a loss to Scotland. However, he hoped his players would still take gains from the experience.

"I think these big games are always gold dust in the sense that you get a physical run out with the best in the world," he said. "You tend to face different ball speeds, different skills at a very high quality, a very high consistency and whether that's a game that runs very close or one that you even lose quite far, it's still gold dust that you need to try your best to take in every moment of that and every sort of experience that you can because they don't come around often. So hopefully, some of the boys could do that tonight again, even though it was a bit of a runaway."

Read 42 times

Soccer

Could star players really go on strike over football's packed schedule?

Could star players really go on strike over football's packed schedule?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPlayer frustration over playing too many games and not getting enou...

Fulham investigate amid Al Fayed rape allegations

Fulham investigate amid Al Fayed rape allegations

EmailPrintPremier League side Fulham have said they are investigating whether anyone associated with...

Spurs' Ange on Solanke critics: 'Do some yoga'

Spurs' Ange on Solanke critics: 'Do some yoga'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAnge Postecoglou has called for patience from anyone rushing to jud...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Raptors forward Brown undergoes knee surgery

Raptors forward Brown undergoes knee surgery

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsToronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown underwent arthroscopic surgery...

Free agent G Harris, F Hauser sign with Hawks

Free agent G Harris, F Hauser sign with Hawks

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Atlanta Hawks signed free agent guard Kevon Harris and forward...

Baseball

Braves reinstate 2B Albies after 2 months on IL

Braves reinstate 2B Albies after 2 months on IL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Atlanta Braves returned three-time All-Star second baseman Ozzi...

'We're young and all we want to do is win': How the Tigers have roared into playoff contention

'We're young and all we want to do is win': How the Tigers have roared into playoff contention

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMinutes before the MLB trade deadline in July, the Detroit Tigers s...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated