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Adam Zampa makes Aussie cricket history in never-before-seen feat at T20 World Cup

Zampa starred as the Aussies clinched an emphatic victory.

andrew reid
·5-min read

Adam Zampa has claimed a special slice of cricket history after starring in a record-breaking nine-wicket thumping of Namibia that secured Australia's spot in the final-eight at the T20 World Cup. Zampa's four-wicket haul (4-12) so saw him become the first Australian bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20i cricket and helped the Aussies skittle the hapless Namibians for only 72 runs - the lowest total any side has ever posted in a T20i against Australia.

Travis Head (34no), David Warner (20) and Mitch Marsh (18no) helped the Aussies chase down the victory target in just 5.4 overs. The huge win means the Aussies are guaranteed to finish in the top two of Group B and play in the tournament's Super 8 stage, regardless of the result of Sunday's final group-stage match against Scotland. The top-two sides from the Super 8 group will then progress through to the knock-out semi-final stage of the tournament.

Adam Zampa's fourth wicket against Namibia at the World Cup saw the spinner become the first Aussie man to claim 100 scalps in T20 internationals. Pic: Prime/Getty
Adam Zampa's fourth wicket against Namibia at the World Cup saw the spinner become the first Aussie man to claim 100 scalps in T20 internationals. Pic: Prime/Getty

Australia won the toss and decided to send Namibia in to bat in Antigua, with quicks Josh Hazlewood (2-18), Pat Cummins (1-16) and allrounder Marcus Stoinis (2-9) ripping through the minnows' top order. Namibia were in damage control after slumping to 3-17 at the end of the powerplay, with Hazlewood doing the bulk of the early damage as Namibia lost 3-1 in the space of 10 balls.

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The Aussie quick had both Namibia openers Niko Davin (two from seven balls) and Michael van Langin (10 off 10) caught by Glenn Maxwell at backward point. They were soon followed by Jan Frylinck (one) who fell victim to Cummins after the Aussie quick started his opening spell with a wicket maiden.

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus (36 from 43 deliveries) provided a glimmer of hope for his side but was only one of two batters to reach doubles figures for the underdogs. Aussie seamer Nathan Ellis made the most of his call-up to replace Mitchell Starc in the XI after his fellow quick sat out with a sore calf. And Ellis (1-12) was the beneficiary of a successful lbw review that sent Namibia vice-captain JJ Smit packing for three and the Africans in serious trouble at 4-18.

But the night once again belonged to Zampa after his player-of-the-match performance in Australia's victory over England in their previous match. The 32-year-old trapped wicketkeeper Zane Green (one) in front for lbw and enticed David Wiese (one) into a mistimed shot that fell into the grateful clutches of Hazlewood in the deep.

Zampa bounced back superbly after being hit for six by Ruben Trumpelmann (seven) in one of only two Namibian shots to clear the boundary. And the classy leg-spinner had the Namibian caught trying to play the same shot through mid-wicket, before bowling Bernard Scholtz two deliveries later. Zampa's four-wicket haul saw him claim the honour of being the first Aussie bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 internationals.

Zampa's display helped the Aussies produce their best bowling display in T20 history, with the 73 runs scored by Bangladesh in the 2021 World Cup the previous low for an Australian opponent. Warner got the Aussies off to a flying start to their chase after belting three boundaries and a big six before being caught out by Trumpelmann for 20.

The Warner dismissal did little to stop Australia notching its fastest-ever successful run chase in T20 history though. The feat was achieved after Head (34no) top-scored and skipper Marsh hit the winning runs with a four past deep extra cover to ensure the Aussies wrapped up victory with 86 balls and nine wickets to spare.

Seen here, Aussie cricket stars Travis Head and David Warner.
Travis Head top-scored with 34 and David Warner made a quick-fire 20 in Australia's record-breaking win over Namibia at the T20 Cricket World Cup. Pic: Getty

"I thought it was a great performance from our bowling team, we want to try and take early wickets," Marsh said. "There was a bit of swing out there, it's a beautiful wicket. All round, a professional performance." The skipper admitted that managing issues like the calf complaint for Starc will be crucial for the latter stages of the tournament. "It'll get pretty busy after that game against Scotland," Marsh added. "We'll manage as many people as we can over the next few days."

with AAP