David Warner leads 'peaking' Australia to dominant win over West Indies at T20 World Cup

Australia has survived a moment of sporting torture to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after hammering the West Indies.

Australia has survived a moment of sporting torture to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 Cricket World Cup after hammering the West Indies.

Australia had to endure a moment of sporting torture as South Africa briefly threatened to sneak into second spot on the Group 1 standings with a win over England on Sunday morning, but the demolition job on the West Indies was enough to secure progress to a semi-final against the top team in Group 2, likely to be Pakistan, on Friday (AEDT).

Batting first, the West Indies got off to a flyer and despite losing wickets at regular intervals, managed to set a competitive total of 157 off their 20 overs. 

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Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, recording figures of 4-39, becoming just the second Australian to take four or more wickets in a T20 International twice.

Captain Kieron Pollard's knock of 44 runs off 31 balls helped the West Indies record a reasonable total, but it was ultimately not enough on a batting-friendly pitch in Abu Dhabi. 

David Warner came out all guns blazing in the run chase and removed any stress for the Aussies with his trademark explosive stroke play. 

The opener was barely troubled on his way to a superb knock of 89 off 56 balls, notching up his second half century of the World Cup and his 20th overall in T20 Internationals. 

Australian captain Aaron Finch fell to a darting delivery by spinner Akeal Hosein for nine, but that was the only  blemish in an exceptional performance by his side.

Warner was ably supported by Mitch Marsh, who smashed 53 off 32 balls as the pair combined for a match-winning 124-run partnership. 

Mitch Marsh and David Warner were unstoppable against the West Indies. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Australia cruised to victory in the end with 22 balls to spare to spoil the final international game for West Indies legends Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo. 

Finch was ecstatic with his side's efforts and paid tribute to Warner, questioning anyone who had been doubting his form. 

"The way he managed his innings, he got away to a flyer and was able to get Mitch Marsh into the game really quickly and allowed him to take over for a period of time," Finch said. 

"Then once that partnership was flourishing he took the reins again.

"He’s a super player, he has been for a long time. A lot of people doubted him recently and I can’t understand why."

The result all but guarantees Australia's spot in the semifinals, where a likely match-up with Pakistan looms. 

South Africa plays England early on Sunday morning (AEDT) and will have to upset the tournament favourites by approximately 57 runs or win in 12 overs - both highly unlikely scenarios - to leapfrog Australia and steal its place in the final four. 

The clinical victory sends an ominous warning to Australia's rivals, who are bound to take notice of a star-studded Aussie team hitting its straps at the perfect time in the World Cup. 

Cricket writer Bharat Sundaresan tweeted: "Is this peak peaking from Australia in the #T20WorldCup".

1999 World Cup: Australia under the pump midway through group stage, beat Bangladesh and West Indies in final two group games to advance, end up winning tournament.

2021 T20 World Cup: 👀

— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) November 6, 2021

 

Interestingly Glenn Maxwell, arguably Australia's best T20 player, has not been required to bat in the last two matches, such has been the dominance of the victories over Bangladesh and the West Indies.

Despite the ominous performance, Australia's position looked under threat on Sunday morning as South Africa blasted their way to set England 189 to win in their final group-stage match.

Rassie van der Dussen smashed an unbeaten 94 from 60 balls, including six sixes, as South Africa beat England by 10 runs but still failed to qualify.
They needed to limit England to 131 or fewer to edge out Australia on net run-rate.

England, who topped the group when they passed 109, finished on 179-8 after a hat-trick by Kagiso Rabada in the final over. It was England’s first loss in five matches.
Pakistan are already through to the semi-finals from Group 2 with India, New Zealand and Afghanistan fighting for the last spot.

- with AFP