NEW DELHI:
Adam Zampa
's mesmerizing spell of four wickets for a mere 12 runs in his allotted four overs propelled the undefeated Australian side into the
Super Eights stage
of the
Twenty20 World Cup
with a resounding nine-wicket triumph over
Namibia
in Antigua on Tuesday.
Australia
secured their Super 8 berth with one Group B encounter still remaining.
T20 World Cup Schedule | Points Table
The leg spinner, continuing his scintillating form from the previous victory against the defending champions England, played a pivotal role in skittling out the Namibian batting lineup for a paltry 72 runs in 17 overs, marking the lowest total Australia have ever restricted an opponent to in T20 international cricket.
As it happened: Australia vs Namibia
In response, the swashbuckling
David Warner
set the tone with a blistering 20 off just eight deliveries before
Travis Head
took charge, smashing an unbeaten 34 from 17 balls to guide the 2021 champions to a comprehensive victory within six overs at the iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, effectively extinguishing Namibia's faint hopes of advancing to the next stage.
Namibia's skipper
Gerhard Erasmus
emerged as the top-scorer for the African nation, displaying grit and determination in his valiant knock of 36 before falling prey to a well-disguised
Marcus Stoinis
delivery, which he mistimed straight into the hands of Glenn Maxwell at midwicket.
Zampa etched his name in the record books as the first Australian male cricketer to reach the milestone of 100 wickets in the shortest format of international cricket with his final scalp, a classic dismissal that saw him clean bowl Bernard Scholtz through the gate.
"Just trying to do my thing, mate," remarked a modest Zampa, who was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match accolade. "We're happy, it's the first step in trying to take the trophy home but a long way to go."
Australia will conclude their Group B fixture against Scotland in St Lucia on Saturday, while Namibia will remain in Antigua to lock horns with England on the same day.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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