Bridgetown (Barbados): Australia registered the highest team total in the tournament history, crossing the 200-run mark for the first time in T20 World Cup match. The Mitchell Marsh-led side reached the milestone during the clash between Australia and England in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 here on Saturday.
An explosive 70-run opening stand between openers Travis Head and David Warner helped Australia to surpass their previous highest team total of 197/7 against Pakistan way back in 2010 T20 World Cup semi-final and reach a competitive score of 201/7 in their 20 overs.
During the match, Australia also registered the fifth highest team score in the PowerPlay in World Cups. Openers David Warner and Travis Head provided the brisk start to Australia's innings, scoring 74 runs in the first six overs. Albeit both fell inside inside the first six overs (Powerplay overs). Warner, in particular, was at his marauding best as he struck a 16-ball 39.
After being put to bat first by England, None of the Aussie batters could get a big score as no batter could achieve the 50-run mark. However, nearly everyone chipped a solid amount of runs with a great run-rate to make sure the 2021 champions reached a solid score. Australian openers Travis Head and David Warner put the team to a fine start. The second over by Will Jacks saw Australia get 22 runs, with a six by Warner and two maximums by Travis. Warner continued to bully English pacers into submission, this time bludgeoning Mark Wood's express pace for three big sixes and a four in the fourth over. With another 22 runs from the over, Australia touched the 50-run mark in just 3.4 overs.
Head and Warner smashed Moeen Ali's spin around the park, but the veteran spinner got the prized scalp of Warner for 39 runs in just 16 balls, with two fours and four sixes. Australia was 70/1 in five overs.
In the very next over, Jofra Archer deceived Head (34 off 18 balls) with his slower ball which crashed into his middle stump. For the next four overs, Australia's run flow slowed down, though captain Mitchell Marsh hit some fine boundaries. Australia reached the 100-run mark in 9.3 overs. Maxwell, battling a poor run of form, took his time to settle. ", "At the end of 10 overs, Australia was 102/2, with Marsh (18*) and Maxwell (10*) unbeaten.
