GROS ISLET: England have reached the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup after Australia knock down Scotland by five wicket at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, St. Lucia on Saturday.
England defeated Namibia in a rain-affected match in Antigua on Saturday to stay in contention for a spot in the second round, but needed already-qualified Australia to see off Scotland on Sunday or their neighbours would progress instead.
Scotland posted 180-5 after profiting from six dropped catches by Australia, with Brandon McMullen smoking six sixes in a knock of 60 from 34 balls and skipper Richie Berrington making 42 not out off 31.
Australia were then 2-1 and 60-3 in the chase as David Warner (1), Mitchell Marsh (8) and Glenn Maxwell (11) fell cheaply but they eventually triumphed with two balls to spare as Tim David (24no off 14) hit Brad Wheal for six to clinch a five-wicket victory.
Travis Head (68 off 49) and Marcus Stoinis (59 off 29) thumped 80 from 44 deliveries for the fifth wicket, before falling in the 16th and 17 overs respectively – Head departing after nailing paceman Safyaan Sharif (2-42) for three sixes and Stonis ousted after successive fours off spin bowler Mark Watt (2-34).
Australia won the toss and elected to field first but after Ashton Agar had bowled opener Michael Jones in the first over, George Munsey and McMullen put together a partnership of 89 for the second wicket to lay a solid platform for Scotland.
Munsey holed out to midwicket for 35 off the bowling of Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa finally winkled out McMullen, who clubbed two sixes and six fours before Mitchell Starc sent him back with a diving catch.
Scotland – who will host Australia for a three-match T20 international series in Edinburgh in September – will be gutted by their exit but should be proud of how they played throughout.
Team:
Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
Scotland: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (capt), Matthew Cross (wk), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Chris Sole, Brad Wheal, Safyaan Sharif
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