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Four of Australia's support staff members, including chief selector George Bailey and head coach Andrew McDonald, had to come in as substitute fielders in the team's resounding win over Namibia in the 2024 T20 World Cup warm-up fixture. The Men in Yellow emerged victorious by seven wickets with 10 overs to spare in Trinidad on Tuesday, May 28.
Australia had to resort to such drastic measures to complete the quota on the field, as only nine members out of 15 were present for the warm-up encounter. The remaining members - Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell, were all involved with their IPL franchises and will link up with the squad later.
Former player George Bailey had to step into action after Josh Hazlewood had to rest following a probing first spell. Soon, the likes of batting consultant Brad Hodge, Andre Borovec, and Andrew McDonald had to come in as well to ensure Australia had 11 players on the field.
A little over a decade ago, Australia were playing the 2012 T20 World Cup under George Bailey's captaincy. He donned the national jersey once again but in a whole different avatar.
David Warner, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood shine in Australia's warm-up triumph
After electing to bowl first, Australia ran through Namibia's batting unit courtesy of Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa. The right-arm pacer ended with brilliant figures of 4-3-5-2, while leg spinner Zampa chipped in with three wickets while conceding 25 runs.
The aforementioned bowling display ensured that Namibia were restricted to 119-9 at the end of the first innings. David Warner came out all guns blazing during the run chase, scoring an unbeaten 54 runs off 21 deliveries while opening the innings with skipper Mitchell Marsh.
Cameos from Tim David and Matthew Wade towards the end ensured that the win was sealed at the halfway stage of the second innings itself.
Australia have one more warm-up match in their schedule ahead of the group stages of the T20 World Cup. The Mitchell Marsh-led side are scheduled to face the West Indies in Trinidad on Friday, May 30.
