5 key highlights that shaped Austalia’s win over Scotland | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024

McMullen, Munsey get Scotland off to a flier

The top-order duo of Brandon McMullen and George Munsey added 89 runs off 48 balls in a big partnership for Scotland. Hitting four fours and nine sixes between them, when Munsey was out in the ninth over, Scotland were flying at a run rate above 10. However, McMullen was dismissed three overs later which brought Australia back into the game. McMullen, scoring 60 off 34 amassed the fastest World Cup fifty for Scotland. 

Australia restrict Scotland to 180

McMullen was out in the 12th over and Australia conceded only 68 runs from their remaining eight overs. The bowlers kept chipping in with wickets. The skipper Richie Berrington scored an unbeaten 42 off 31 balls but had little support from the other end. 

Scotland start wellThe Scots were excellent in the powerplay with the ball. Losing David Warner and Mitchell Marsh early, Australia were 36/2 in the powerplay. Another four tight overs led to an unproductive start for Australia — 74/3 in their first 10 overs. 

Counterpunch from Head and Stoinis

Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis did what McMullen and Munsey did for Scotland, a whirlwind partnership that pulled the game before the opposition could blink their eyes. The pair surged Australia from 60/3 in 8.2 overs to 140/4 in 15.4 overs. When Head departed after three consecutive sixes against Safyaan Sharif, Australia were well back in the game needing only 41 runs from 26 deliveries. 

Head scored 68 off 49 balls while Stoinis contributed 59 from 29 deliveries. The following batters — Tim David and Matthew Wade — did the rest. 

The contrasting halves

Both sides have different approaches with the bat. Scotland started quick, putting 96/2 on the board in their first 10 overs. They slipped in the second half, managing only 84/3 in their last 10 overs.

On the contrary, Australia began in an iffy manner, scoring only 74/3 in the first half of their chase. In the last 10 overs however, they smashed 112 runs on the board. 

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