T20 WC: Australia overcome Scotland; Head, Stoinis shine
Australia beat Scotland by five wickets to continue their unbeaten run at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. The Scottish side posted 180/6 in Match 35 in St Lucia thanks to a 60-run effort from Brandon McMullen. Australia were off to a poor start but fifties from Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis powered them over the line. Here are the key stats.
McMullen powers Scotland
McMullen arrived after opener Michael Jones departed in the first over. The former joined forces with George Munsey (35) and the duo added 89 runs in just eight overs. Richie Berrington contributed with an unbeaten 31-ball 42 as Scotland posted their highest-ever T20 WC total (180/6). Notably, Australia restricted the damage with some brilliant death bowling toward the end.
Summary of Australia's chase
Australia were off to a poor start with the likes of David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell departing cheaply. However, Head joined forces with Stoinis and the duo recorded a 80-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Both batters slammed fifties before being dismissed. Nevertheless, an unbeaten 14-ball 24 from Tim David meant Australia won with two balls to spare.
Scotland knocked out, England through
With this defeat, Scotland have been knocked out of the ongoing tourney. They finish the Group B standings with five points (Win: 2, Loss: 1, NR: 1). Scotland's loss was England's gain as the Brits are now through to the Super 8. Though the defending champions also own five points, they (+3.611) score over Scotland (+1.255) in terms of NRR.
Australia top the Group B standings
Australia finish the group stage with four wins in as many games. They hence top the Group B points table with eight points (NRR: +2.791). Meanwhile, this was Australia's seventh successive T20 WC win, the joint-most for any side in the competition's history. Only England and India have won as many consecutive games in the competition.
Australia's innings progression
Notably, Australia were 93/3 at the end of the 13th over. They collected as many as 94 runs in their final 6.4 overs at a remarkable run rate of 14.11. Meanwhile, Australia completed their second-most successful run chase in the competition's history. In 2010, they chased down 192 against Pakistan in the semi-final game.
A fine effort from McMullen
McMullen brilliantly for his 34-ball 60 as he smoked two boundaries and six sixes. He finished the group stage of the ongoing competition with 140 runs at 70 (50s: 2). Overall, he has clobbered 363 runs across 13 T20Is at 36.30 (50s: 4). His strike rate is a stunning 152.52.
Marsh races past 1,500 T20I runs
Marsh, who departed for a nine-ball eight, became the fourth Australian to complete 1,500 runs in T20I cricket. He has raced to 1,507 runs at 33.48. The tally includes nine fifties. 396 of his runs have come in 16 T20 WC games, averaging 33. He averages 52.62 as a captain as the tally includes over 421 runs.
Maxwell races past 2,500 T20I runs
Maxwell, who departed for an 8-ball 11, completed 2,500 runs in T20Is. As per ESPNcricinfo, Maxwell has now raced to 2,507 T20I runs at 29.49. He averages 29.49 and his strike rate is 154.65. He owns five tons and 10 fifties. In 31 matches at neutral venues, he has tallied 452 runs at 20.54 (50s: 2). Maxwell also claimed two wickets in the match.
Maiden T20 WC fifty for Head
Head made 68 off 49 balls with the help of five fours and four sixes. This was his maiden T20 WC fifty as he has raced to 148 runs in the ongoing event at 49.33 (SR: 157.44). Overall, he has completed 804 runs across 30 T20Is at 32.16 (50s: 2). 194 of his runs have come in neutral T20Is at 38.80.
A look at Stoinis's numbers
Stoinis made 59 off just 29 balls. He hammered nine boundaries and two maximums. This was his fourth T20I fifty as he has completed 1,096 runs across 63 games at 32.23 (SR: 150.13). In T20 WCs, he now has 362 runs across 15 matches at 60.33 (SR: 166.05). This was his third fifty. Stoinis has 264 runs in neutral T20Is at 52.80.
Third-best average in run chases
Stoinis now has 202 T20 WC runs in run chases at 102.50. Among batters with at least 200 runs in T20 WC run chases, only Matthew Hayden (260) and Virat Kohli (135.50) own better averages, as per ESPNcricinfo. His strike rate of 178.26 is also the best in this regard. Stoinis has two T20 WC fifties in the second innings.
Berrington's valiant efforts
Scotland skipper Richie Berrington contributed with a fine 31-ball 42 (2 fours, 1 six). Scotland's leading run-getter in T20Is, he has raced to 2,193 runs at a strike rate of 132.43 (50s: 10, 100: 1). Overall, he has completed 389 T20 WC runs at 32.41. He finished the 2024 event with 124 runs at 41.33.
Munsey joins Berrington
Munsey scored 35 off 23 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes. With this knock, Munsey has raced past 2,000 (now 2,006) T20I runs at 31.34 (SR: 143.38). His tally of 13 50-plus T20I scores is the most for a Scottish batter (100s: 2). Munsey finished the 2024 T20 WC with 124 runs at a strike rate of 139.32.
