West Indies Triumphs Over Australia in High-Scoring Warm-Up Match
In preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, West Indies and Australia engaged in a high-scoring warm-up match in Port of Spain.
Nicholas Pooran led the Windies with a stunning 75 off 25 balls, while captain Rovman Powell contributed a swift half-century. Despite Josh Inglis’ 55, Australia fell short by 35 runs.
In other matches, Namibia narrowly defeated Papua New Guinea in a rain-affected game, while three matches were abandoned due to weather conditions.
Pooran’s Power Play Punishes Australia
West Indies’ wicketkeeper, Pooran, displayed ruthless form from the beginning, hitting eight sixes in his explosive innings following the early dismissal of Shai Hope.
He reached his half-century in just 16 balls, with Powell and Sherfane Rutherford providing equally aggressive support. The pair hit four fours and four sixes each, setting Australia a target of 258 runs.
Despite Ashton Agar’s aggressive start and Inglis’ half-century, Australia’s chase fell short. Nathan Ellis’ late contribution of 39 runs was not enough to secure victory for the visitors.
Namibia Sneaks Past PNG in Rain-Affected Clash
In a rain-affected match in Tarouba, Namibia managed to edge past Papua New Guinea by three runs (DLS).
PNG struggled to build momentum, losing wickets regularly. Namibia’s bowlers, David Wiese and Ruben Trumpelmann, were particularly effective. Despite a promising start, PNG’s Sese Nau was trapped lbw by Wiese.
Namibia’s response was initially shaky, but a fourth-wicket stand of 71 between Jan Frylinck and Jean-Pierre Kotze steadied the innings. When the rain intervened, Namibia was three runs ahead of the DLS target.
Scotland’s Chase Halted by Rain
Scotland made a promising start in their run chase against Uganda before rain halted the match in Tarouba.
Uganda reached 90 for five in their shortened innings of 18 overs, with Riazat Ali Shah top scoring. Scotland was well placed at 27 without loss when the rain intervened, leading to the abandonment of the match.
Match Summaries
Australia v West Indies – Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad
West Indies 257/4 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 75, Rovman Powell 52; Adam Zampa 2/62); Australia 222/7 (Josh Inglis 55; Gudakesh Motie 2/31)
Result: West Indies win by 35 runs
Scotland v Uganda – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba
Uganda 90/5 in 18 overs (Riazat Ali Shah 22; Safyaan Sharif 2/16); Scotland 27/0 in 1.5 overs.
Result: Match abandoned
Namibia v Papua New Guinea – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba
Papua New Guinea 109/7 in 20 overs (Sese Bau 29; David Wiese 2/8); Namibia 93/6 in 16.5 overs (Jan Frylinck 36; Alei Nao 2/9)
Result: Namibia win by three runs (DLS)
Nepal v USA – Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
Result: Match abandoned
Netherlands v Canada – Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
Result: Match abandoned