Australia’s delicate predicament
Marcus Stoinis is the man for a pressure situation if history is any guide.
Not that the burly all-rounder is talking crisis despite Australia’s dismal failure in their opening Twenty20 World Cup match against New Zealand at the SCG on Saturday night which has left their title defence on the brink.
“There was a bit of hurt in the change room after that one,” Stoinis admitted on Sunday before the team flew to Perth for Tuesday’s match against Sri Lanka. The 89-run mauling by New Zealand has left Australia needing to win all four remaining matches to be any realistic hope of making the semi-finals, some by considerable margins to repair a dreadful run rate.
Marcus Stoinis at the SCG on Saturday night.Credit:Getty
“It’s the first game of the World Cup and if we look after the rest then everything should be fine.
“It does leave us in a position where other people might be in control. But if we go through and we’ve only lost one game and we don’t make it, I think we can probably, to a certain extent, be okay with that. But for now, the next focus is Sri Lanka.”
From India’s perspective
Flashback: When these teams met in 2015
Indian fans celebrate as a Pakistan wicket falls in a 2015 Cricket World Cup match at the Adelaide Oval.Credit:Getty Images
Tonight’s occasion helps bring back memories from the 50-over World Cup in 2015, also held in Australia.
Seven years ago Adelaide Oval was fortunate enough to be the location for the clash between India and Pakistan, possibly the biggest rivals in world sport.
VIDEO: Warner’s back luck on Saturday night
The atmosphere is building
Pakistan fans are finding their voice before the India versus Pakistan clash at the MCG.Credit:Chris Hopkins
POLL: The votes are against Australia ….
About last night …. forgettable for Australia
A blazing New Zealand ambush has left Australia perched on the precipice of failing to defend their T20 World Cup crown after a comprehensive Kiwi victory at the SCG on Saturday night.
Playing the opening match of the Super 12 stage of the tournament, Australia lost by 89 runs and must win their remaining four groups games to have any chance of making the semi-finals. The big margin will hurt Australia’s net run rate.
Devon Conway on the way to an unbeaten 92 at the SCG.Credit:Getty
Ignited by little-known Finn Allen (42 from 16 balls) and directed by Devon Conway (92 not out from 58 balls), New Zealand charged to 3-200, leaving Australia by far their largest T20 chase on home soil for victory.
Australia collapsed to 3-34 inside five overs attempting to keep up with the run rate to be bowled out for 111. Glenn Maxwell top-scored with 28.
Clash of bitter rivals will supercharge the Super 12 stage
“The biggest sporting event on the planet this week will be played on Sunday evening in Australia,” writes GEOFF LAWSON.
“From about 7pm (AEDT); 1.30pm in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai; 1pm in Lahore, Karachi, Sheikhpura and various points in the Hindu Kush; along the Karakoram Highway and across the Grand Trunk Route, TV sets and electronic devices will be charged and tuned. The audience will extend across the globe. Never has the term ‘broadcast’ been more appropriate. The subcontinental diaspora will be glued to the footage emanating from the MCG.”
Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam.Credit:Getty
Hello and welcome
Good afternoon from Melbourne, Australia.
Get set for one of the great spectacles in world sport – India versus Pakistan in a World Cup clash. This clash is in the early stages of the 2020 ICC Twenty20 World Cup tournament being staged in Australia.
And the location? The MCG, naturally. One of the most well-known cricket venues in the world.
Strap yourself in and enjoy your evening.
