Australian opener David Warner produced another match-winning knock in their 2024 T20 World Cup Super Eight opener against Bangladesh in Antigua on Thursday, June 20. Chasing 141, the 37-year-old got going immidiately with a boundary off the second ball.
However, he was dropped on five in the second over of the run chase and Bangladesh were made to rue the missed opportunity. Warner smashed 53* off only 35 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and three maximums; he reached his half-century with a magnificent flick six.
It was his second half-century of the tournament, taking his tally to 169 runs at an average of 42.25 and a strike rate of over 148 in five games.
Warner's brilliance took Australia to a comfortable 100/2 in the 12th over when rain intervened for the umpteenth time in the contest. However, this time the rain was here to stay.
It meant the Aussies emerged victorious by 28 runs via the DLS method to keep their unbeaten streak in the tournament intact.
Fans on X hailed Warner for another sublime batting display with the following reactions:
The praises continued to pour in for Warner with one fan saying:
"David Warner in a world cup game is always phenomenal. Never get tired of watching him batting."
"Another fifty from the bank, David Warner," said a fan.
"Excellent 50 to David Warner ! Gee Australia will miss him when he’s gone," a fan tweeted.
Australian bowlers restricted Bangladesh to a below-par total before Warner's heroics
While David Warner's knock was pure class, the Australian bowlers did most of the damage in the first innings against Bangladesh.
Ace pacer Mitchell Starc struck in the first over of the contest, removing opener Tanzid Hasan for a three-ball duck. Litton Das and Najmul Shanto put on a 58-run stand for the second wicket to provide Bangladesh with hopes of a solid total.
However, the Aussie bowlers took control by picking up wickets regularly to restrict Bangladesh to a below-par 140/8 in 20 overs. Skipper Pat Cummins picked up a hat trick in the closing stages of the innings, finishing with incredible figures of 3/29 in four overs. He was well-supported by Adam Zampa, who enjoyed figures of 2/24 in four overs.
Australia's run-chase was never in doubt once Warner and fellow opener Travis Head belted 65 off 41 for the first wicket. Despite impressive leg-spinner Rishad Hossain providing a minor scare with back-to-back wickets to reduce the Aussies to 69/2, Warner and Maxwell added an unbeaten 31 for the third wicket to ensure the result was never in doubt.
The win takes Australia to second place in the Super Eight Group 1 behind India, who also won their opening game against Afghanistan.
Pat Cummins's Men will take on Afghanistan in their next Super Eight encounter on Saturday, June 22.
Looking for fast live cricket scores? Download CricRocket and get fast score updates, top-notch commentary in-depth match stats & much more! 🚀☄️