Australia huff and puff to win against Oman in their T20 World Cup opener

Oman held their own against powerhouse Australia in the teams’ opening game of the T20 World Cup. The Gulf nation lost by 39 runs but not before testing Aussie resolve.

At one point, the Omani team led by Aqib Ilyas had reduced Australia to 50/3 in 8.3 overs before David Warner (56 in 51 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (67 not out in 36 balls; 2x4s, 6x6s) added 102 for the fourth wicket to steer the Test nation to safety.   

Pat Cummins was rested for the match.

Aussies also appeared to evade an injury scare to strike bowler Mitchell Starc, who pulled up sore after a delivery in his final over.

According to TV commentators, Starc only suffered cramps and nothing more serious. The left-arm pacer made a valuable contribution to Australia with the ball, grabbing a pair of wickets, but Stoinis was the clear hero.

Oman’s skipper Ilyas took at cover what is the catch of the tournament so far, dismissing Glenn Maxwell for first-ball duck. This was on a delivery after Mitchell Marsh’s wicket.

Stoinis held his nerve to see off Mehran Khan’s hat-trick ball.

The Oman bowlers ensured a 30-ball boundary drought. But Australia were happy to not lose a wicket in the phase.

Stoinis unleashed four sixes in the 15th over off Mehran Khan, to change the complexion of the innings as Australia finished with 164/5.

Oman always found the going tough after early loss of wickets. A score of 36 off 30 balls (2x4s, 2x6s) from Ayaan Khan at No. 6 and 27 off 16 by Mehran Khan (1x4, 2x6s) took Oman to 125/9 in 20 overs.

Australia, Marcus Stoinis, T20 World Cup, Oman, Mitchell Starc