Short-handed Aussies call on support in T20 warm-up win
Josh Hazlewood and David Warner were dominant as Australia called on reinforcements, including coach Andrew McDonald, in a comfortable Twenty20 World Cup warm-up game defeat of Namibia.
Australia named only nine players for the Trinidad clash, with six members of the squad granted some time off following IPL campaigns.
It made for bizarre scenes as the Test and 50-over world champions began preparations for another trophy charge by fielding four members of their support staff, all aged over 40, in the unofficial fixture.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.At one stage chief selector and ex-Australian bat George Bailey, coach and former Test allrounder Andrew McDonald, batting coach and former Test gun Brad Hodge and fielding coach and former first-grade wicketkeeper Andre Borovec were all on the field.
Borovec and Hodge, who turns 50 in December, hung on to catches and McDonald earned applause for a diving stop in the outfield as Australia restricted world No.14 Namibia to 8-120 at Queen’s Park Oval.
Hazlewood (2-5 from four overs) set the tone in his first match for nearly three months, the quick boasting figures of 2-0 from his first three overs to leave Namibia 6-50.
They recovered but Warner, eyeing his last international tournament, ensured an early night with an unbeaten, 21-ball 54.
Tim David (23 off 16) bashed three fours and a six while Adam Zampa took 3-25.
Australia will be short-handed again for their second and final warm-up fixture, against West Indies on Thursday.
Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green will join the squad ahead of their tournament opener next Thursday against Oman in Barbados.
