Australia’s quest to unify cricket’s world titles began in serene fashion on Wednesday night, as a fine all-round performance from Marcus Stoinis ensured a 39-run victory over minnows Oman.
Having won both the World Test Championship and 50-over World Cup last year, the Aussies are seeking to add the T20 equivalent and, in the process, become the first team to hold all three trophies at once.
There was a brief moment of alarm in Barbados when, after scratchy starts from the top order, captain Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell were out in successive balls to leave their side 50 for three midway through the ninth over, but Stoinis arrived to hit 67 from 36 to push the total to 164 for five.
The 34-year-old then claimed three wickets as the standout in a bowling attack missing the rested Pat Cummins as Oman were restricted to 125 for nine in reply.
Victory immediately sends Australia to the top of Group B ahead of Saturday’s clash with England and eases concerns that a disjointed build-up, in which coaching staff were forced to make up the numbers in warm-up matches, might lead to a slow start.
“There were maybe a few cobwebs for us, but we’re better for the run,” Stoinis said. “We got the win, some boys spent some time in the middle and everyone got a bowl.”
Stoinis was assisted by a determined David Warner, who made a half-century in a 102-run stand to surpass Aaron Finch as the country’s leading T20I run-scorer as he begins a farewell tournament in international colours.
Maxwell’s form with the bat, however, remains a major concern heading into the England game. Following a dismal IPL campaign, the star all-rounder was out for a golden duck here, though he has been known to put lean streaks behind him at a moment’s notice when pulling on the Australia shirt.
An early win on the board means Australia can go into the weekend’s crunch with their Ashes rivals knowing a loss would be far from disastrous for their qualification hopes.
Having seen their opener against Scotland washed out, however, England do not have the same luxury. Only the top two in each group will progress to the Super Eight, and while defeat would not be terminal, Jos Buttler’s side would be vulnerable to further weather woe and potentially risk relying on net run-rate further down the line.
“You never need to get up for an Australia game, but it’s one that’s more important because of the points,” said seamer Mark Wood, with England desperate to avoid the kind of start that soon sent last year’s 50-over campaign into a doom spiral.
“It puts a different spin on things if we win that game compared to losing; that has a different look and feel.
“Lose, and I’m sure you guys in the media, there will be questions asked, like the last [50-over] World Cup in India. So, it will be an important game for us and one we’ll be desperately trying to win.”
Elsewhere on Wednesday night, Uganda made history by claiming their first-ever T20 World Cup win, edging a low-scoring contest against Papua New Guinea in Guyana by three wickets.
Chasing just 78 to win, the African nation slumped to 26 for five before Riazat Ali Shah’s 33 helped them home with 10 balls to spare.
