The likes of Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green were among notable absentees for Australia in their T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up game against Namibia.

New Delhi: The Australian cricket team were forced to use chief selector George Bailey and head coach Andrew McDonald as substitute fielders in a T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up game against Namibia on Wednesday as they faced a player shortage. While most of the 15-member squad has already reached the Caribbean, several stars who were a part of the IPL 2024 playoffs have yet to join the team. During the match, Australia had only nine regular players with Bailey and McDonald forming the XI. However, Bailey and McDonald need not to bat as Australia crushed Namibia by seven wickets.

While Mitchell Starc, Travis Head and Pat Cummins were a part of the IPL 2024 final, played on May 26, Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell, who were playing for Royal Challengers  Bengaluru, will link up with the team by the end of the week in Barbados. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who represented Lucknow Super Giants will arrive in Trinidad before the second practice game against West Indies.

Jake Fraser-Mcgurk and Matt Short, who were named as travelling reserves, will join the T20 World Cup squad after Australia’s first match against Oman on June 5. As far as the warm-up game is concerned, Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Adam Zampa took three wickets while Josh Hazlewood bagged two as Australia restricted Namibia for 119/9 at the end of 20 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Zane Green was highest scorer with 38 runs off 30 deliveries for Namibia. It was Green’s warrior innings that helped the team to survive for a full 20 overs.

In reply, Australia chased down in 10 overs. Skipper Mitchell Marsh got out cheaply for 18 runs but his opening partner, David Warner, found form and smashed an unbeaten fifty (54 runs off 21 balls) to take the team home. Warner was also the highest scorer for Australia. In the end, Tim David and Matthew Wade gave some finishing touches to ensure there were no hiccups.