Abu Dhabi, Nov 6: Abu Dhabi, Nov 6 (PTI) Australia secured a spot in the T20 World Cup semifinals as David Warner produced a feisty unbeaten 89 in team’s eight-wicket win over West Indies and later England did a huge favour to them by breaching the 131-run mark in the other Group 1 match against South Africa.
Australia did their part by winning the first game of the day and needed a favour from England in the evening match. South Africa put on board a challenging 189 for two and needed to stop England at 131 or less to beat Australia on Net-run-rate.
South Africa were eliminated despite winning four out of five games since England and Australia, who also had four wins each, qualified due to better NRR.
England topped the Group with a superior NRR of 2.464 while Australia finished second (1.216). South Africa’s NRR was 0.739.
Before the evening game became crucial for Australia, Warner was at his vintage best as he smashed four sixes and nine fours to anchor the 158-run chase in a match that was a swansong game for Dwyane Bravo.
West Indies made 157 for seven after being asked to bat. Warner got good support from Mitchell Marsh who slammed a 32-ball 53 before getting out while trying to score the winning run.
The duo stitched a match-winning 124-run partnership in 75 balls to seal the chase with 23 balls to spare.
The Aussie left hander upped the ante in the third over, smashing Jason Holder two consecutive boundaries before finishing the over with a six. Skipper Finch (9) got out in the next over after being cleaned up by Akeal Hosein but Warner maintained the run rate.
Warner raced to his 20th T20 International half-century in 29 balls, as Australia were never in a spot of bother and made it a run-a-ball equation at the halfway mark – 98 for /1 – needing 60 off 60 balls. Marsh also followed suit with an equally aggressive half century – his fifth in T20Is.
Earlier, skipper Kieron Pollard struck a combative 31-ball 44 to lead West Indies to a fighting 157 for seven.
Dwayne Bravo retires from intl cricket
All-rounder Dwayne Bravo received a standing ovation from his teammates, opposition players, and fans at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium stadium after playing the final match of his international career for West Indies. (PTI)
