Jon Pierik assesses the Australian side after an 86-run World Cup win over New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday.
David Warner 4 (Tournament tally 52.5)
16 off 23 balls
This was a battle for the left-hander, even considering that he has adopted a more measured approach this tournament. On a used pitch, Trent Boult troubled Warner with a tight line, meaning the Australian could not free his arms. However, it was Lockie Ferguson who claimed the prized wicket, producing a rearing delivery with his first delivery at first change that tickled an edge.
Usman Khawaja enjoyed his best innings of the tournament.Credit:AP
Aaron Finch 7 (67)
8 off 15 balls
This was only the second failure in terms of an opening stand by the Australians in this tournament, for Finch and Warner put on only 15 – equalling their tournament low of 15 against the West Indies. Finch's great run of two centuries and two half-centuries in his past four digs came to end when he was trapped on the crease and plumb in front by Boult. Later led well in the field, where he was on the money with his bowling changes.
Usman Khawaja 8 (40)
88 off 129 balls
This was his best knock of the tournament, for his 89 against Bangladesh came off a big platform and a batting-friendly deck. Enjoyed some good fortune – he was dropped twice – but his patience was notable here in heavy going, for there were only five boundaries.
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Steve Smith 6 (51)
5 off 8 balls
The scene was set for the former captain to produce a big innings, even his first ton of the tournament. Instead, he fell to one of the great catches of the tournament, when Martin Guptill – positioned at leg gully for a flick off the hip – dived to his left and caught a full-blooded pull shot. Ferguson's pace had been the difference. Smith was in disbelief. Guptill had earlier dropped two chances but made amends with this. Given a bowl for the first time since 2016, he had the dangerous Colin de Grandhomme caught at long off for a duck.
Marcus Stoinis 5 (33.5)
21 off 26 balls and 0-12 off two overs
Was elevated to No.5 ahead of Glenn Maxwell, giving him the time to play a controlled hand. That's what he did until James Neesham used the slope to his benefit and got the faintest of edges from Stoinis' defensive prod. Had a modest afternoon with the ball but wasn't ready needed.
Alex Carey played a vital innings for the Australians.Credit:AP
Glenn Maxwell 4 (38)
1 off 5 balls and 0-18 off four overs
Dropped a place in the order in a bid to allow him to provide late dash but came to the crease in the 21st over. Needed to be patient but was hard to blame him for attacking a short ball, only for the delivery to grip on a tricky surface, meaning Maxwell was through his cross-bat shot quicker than hoped. The ball rebounded off the toe of his bat and was superbly caught in the left hand of bowler Neesham. Was unable to deliver a breakthrough with the ball.
Alex Carey 8 (56)
71 off 72 balls
As he did against the West Indies, Carey was instrumental in reviving the Australians after they had fallen to 5-92 in the 22nd over. Where others struggled, Carey drove smoothly through the covers and looked at ease in punching 11 boundaries. He may unassuming off the field but on the field he shown why was named vice-captain so early in his international career.
Pat Cummins 7 (52.5)
23 not out off 19 balls and 1-14 off six overs
Had 13 runs before this knock but Finch knew he would come good when needed. This was a brilliant cameo, for it denied the Black Caps momentum. Conceded only seven runs off his opening four-over spell but returned to claim his first wicket in three games, when he had Ross Taylor caught off a skied pull shot.
Mitchell Starc 9 (60)
0 off 1 ball anRead More – Source
Jon Pierik assesses the Australian side after an 86-run World Cup win over New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday.
David Warner 4 (Tournament tally 52.5)
16 off 23 balls
This was a battle for the left-hander, even considering that he has adopted a more measured approach this tournament. On a used pitch, Trent Boult troubled Warner with a tight line, meaning the Australian could not free his arms. However, it was Lockie Ferguson who claimed the prized wicket, producing a rearing delivery with his first delivery at first change that tickled an edge.
Usman Khawaja enjoyed his best innings of the tournament.Credit:AP
Aaron Finch 7 (67)
8 off 15 balls
This was only the second failure in terms of an opening stand by the Australians in this tournament, for Finch and Warner put on only 15 – equalling their tournament low of 15 against the West Indies. Finch's great run of two centuries and two half-centuries in his past four digs came to end when he was trapped on the crease and plumb in front by Boult. Later led well in the field, where he was on the money with his bowling changes.
Usman Khawaja 8 (40)
88 off 129 balls
This was his best knock of the tournament, for his 89 against Bangladesh came off a big platform and a batting-friendly deck. Enjoyed some good fortune – he was dropped twice – but his patience was notable here in heavy going, for there were only five boundaries.
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Steve Smith 6 (51)
5 off 8 balls
The scene was set for the former captain to produce a big innings, even his first ton of the tournament. Instead, he fell to one of the great catches of the tournament, when Martin Guptill – positioned at leg gully for a flick off the hip – dived to his left and caught a full-blooded pull shot. Ferguson's pace had been the difference. Smith was in disbelief. Guptill had earlier dropped two chances but made amends with this. Given a bowl for the first time since 2016, he had the dangerous Colin de Grandhomme caught at long off for a duck.
Marcus Stoinis 5 (33.5)
21 off 26 balls and 0-12 off two overs
Was elevated to No.5 ahead of Glenn Maxwell, giving him the time to play a controlled hand. That's what he did until James Neesham used the slope to his benefit and got the faintest of edges from Stoinis' defensive prod. Had a modest afternoon with the ball but wasn't ready needed.
Alex Carey played a vital innings for the Australians.Credit:AP
Glenn Maxwell 4 (38)
1 off 5 balls and 0-18 off four overs
Dropped a place in the order in a bid to allow him to provide late dash but came to the crease in the 21st over. Needed to be patient but was hard to blame him for attacking a short ball, only for the delivery to grip on a tricky surface, meaning Maxwell was through his cross-bat shot quicker than hoped. The ball rebounded off the toe of his bat and was superbly caught in the left hand of bowler Neesham. Was unable to deliver a breakthrough with the ball.
Alex Carey 8 (56)
71 off 72 balls
As he did against the West Indies, Carey was instrumental in reviving the Australians after they had fallen to 5-92 in the 22nd over. Where others struggled, Carey drove smoothly through the covers and looked at ease in punching 11 boundaries. He may unassuming off the field but on the field he shown why was named vice-captain so early in his international career.
Pat Cummins 7 (52.5)
23 not out off 19 balls and 1-14 off six overs
Had 13 runs before this knock but Finch knew he would come good when needed. This was a brilliant cameo, for it denied the Black Caps momentum. Conceded only seven runs off his opening four-over spell but returned to claim his first wicket in three games, when he had Ross Taylor caught off a skied pull shot.
Mitchell Starc 9 (60)
0 off 1 ball anRead More – Source
