🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: Match 24: Australia vs Namibia @6.00 AM IST🏏

🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: Match 24: Australia vs Namibia at North South @6.00 AM IST🏏

Australia will be looking to make it three in three wins when they will take on Namibia in match 24 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound Antigua on Wednesday, June 12 according to Indian Standard Time (IST). 

Namibia,m which beat Oman in a Super Over to begin their campaign, somewhat lost the plot against Scotland as the opposition chased the target set by them in 13.5 overs only. For them to now be able to make a restart to try and attempt to get into the Super 8, the Gerhard Erasmus-led team must beat Australia.   

Australia Playing 11 probables: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh(c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood  

Namibia Playing 11 probables: JP Kotze, Nikolaas Davin, Jan Frylinck, Gerhard Erasmus(c), Malan Kruger, Zane Green(w), David Wiese, Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Bernard Scholtz, Tangeni Lungameni  

• Pitch Report: The pitch in North Sound is expected to be bowling friendly with assist for pacers. Teams batting first have had the advantage at this venue with 9 wins as opposed to 5 when batting second.
• Weather Forecast: There is prediction for rain on June 11 in North Sound, Antigua & Barbuda.
• Average 1st Innings Score: 117 in the last 5 matches

In the spotlight: Adam Zampa and Bernard Scholtz

Adam Zampa is settling into the tournament very nicely after coming off a lengthy break following the Australian season. He has a brace of wickets from both outings and was one of the key differences against England when he claimed the dangerous Phil Salt with his first ball. He has developed into a white-ball great for Australia and is now just four wickets away from being their first men's player to reach 100 T20I wickets.

Left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz has been incredibly tidy in Namibia's first two outings and, along with the captain, was key to piling on the pressure against Scotland. He has 1 for 20 from both the matches, showing skilful variation of flight and pace, conceding just one four and one six across his eight overs. The prospect of taking on Australia's heavy hitters will be a daunting one but they would be wise not to take him lightly.

Team news: Australia have an eye on their quicks

Head coach Andrew McDonald said Australia would not be looking too far ahead and would pick their best XI rather than rotate players for this game, although that could come against Scotland should qualification be assured. However, he did leave the door ajar for some management of the quicks given the tight schedule ahead.

Australia (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood

The one change Namibia have made so far is JP Kotze for Michael van Lingen - both have made first-over ducks. The balance of their side has been knocked out of kilter somewhat by Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit being unable to bowl.

Namibia (possible) 1 JP Kotze, 2 Nikolaas Davin, 3 Jan Frylinck, 4 Gerhard Erasmus (capt), 5 Malan Kruger, 6 Zane Green (wk), 7 David Wiese, 8 Ruben Trumpelmann, 9 JJ Smit, 10 Bernard Scholtz, 11 Tangeni Lungameni

Pitch and conditions

The early signs from Antigua's first match was that it could be a quick-scoring venue as Scotland raced to their target against Oman. The breeze can play a significant factor at this ground. The forecast is for cloudy conditions but no major threat of rain.

Stats that matter

• Although Australia have not played a full international against Namibia since 2003, Tim David faced them once during his Singapore days.

• David Wiese faced Australia four times in T20Is during his South Africa career

• The Scotland-Oman game was the first T20I at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium since 2021 - overall it has the second-lowest T20I batting strike-rate of all grounds in the Caribbean

AUS vs NAM Probable Best Performers of the Match:

Probable Best Batter - Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis was in fine form during the Indian Premier League 2024 and is continuing his purple patch in the World Cup. In two games, he has scored 97 runs at an average of 97 and a strike rate of 183.02. With Glenn Maxwell being in woeful touch, Stoinis' form will give Australian fans a lot of relief.

Probable Best Bowler - Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc won the Player of the Match award in his last two IPL 2024 games and helped Kolkata Knight Riders win the coveted title. He had a good encounter against Oman, picking up two wickets in three overs. However, against England, he went wicketless, conceding 37 runs. Starc can be lethal with the new ball against the Namibian batters. If the African side can keep him and Josh Hazlewood at bay in the powerplay, they will stand in good stead.

Australia to win the match

Scenario 1

Australia win the toss and opt to bowl first.

Powerplay: 40-50

First Innings: 130-140

Australia win the match.

Scenario 2

Namibia win the toss and opt to bowl first.

Powerplay: 50-60

First Innings: 165-175

Australia win the match.

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