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Cricket World Cup 2019: Live coverage of Australia v West Indies at Trent Bridge

Paceman who averaged less than 13 before tonight gives Australia a chance in World Cup clash.

Peter Lalor and Daniel Sankey
13 min read
7:49PMJune 06, 2019.
Updated 11:54PMJune 06, 2019
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Australia’s Steve Smith and Nathan Coulter-Nile run between the wickets during their World Cup rescue mission against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. Picture: AFP
Australia’s Steve Smith and Nathan Coulter-Nile run between the wickets during their World Cup rescue mission against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. Picture: AFP

Welcome to live coverage of Australia’s 2019 Cricket World Cup preliminary match against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. West Indies won the toss and sent Australia in to bat.

Daniel Sankey 11.53pm: West Indies innings underway

Mitchell Starc has taken the new ball for Australia and it’s an inauspicious start for the left-armer. His first delivery is a wide down legside that swings viciously back towards off after it passes the batsman, evading wicketkeeper Alex Carey before running away for four runs.

Starc continues to stray towards legside before righting the compass in the final two balls of the over. West Indies 0-7.

Peter Lalor 11.22pm: ‘Innings of Coulter-Nile’s life’

The Australians have rallied from a near-death 4-38 to a more respectable 288 against the West Indies at Trent Bridge thanks mostly to the brutality of Nathan Coulter-Nile and the good sense of Steve Smith.

Coulter-Nile played the innings of his life. Coming into this game he had an average of just under 13 and a highest score of 34. His 92 from just 60 balls ended when he holed out in the penultimate over.

Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile leaves the field after his brilliant 92. Picture: AFP
Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile leaves the field after his brilliant 92. Picture: AFP

The all-rounder, who lived dangerously from the start of the innings, was lucky to survive the first few deliveries but did not lose confidence, going on to hit eight 4s and four 6s in what was the best innings of his career to date.

Smith was more controlled, putting on 68 with Alex Carey (45) for the sixth wicket and 102 with Coulter-Nile for the seventh.

The former captain was 73 when he was out to a brilliant one-handed catch on the boundary by Sheldon Cottrell in the 45th over.

The West Indies pace bowlers promised a bouncer barrrage and delivered. Usman Khawaja, who was knocked out of the practice game by an Andre Russell delivery that struck him on the jaw, was hit this time by Oshane Thomas as the battery of tall pacemen aimed ball after ball at the left hander.

Andre Russell of the West Indies celebrates after taking the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Picture: Getty Images
Andre Russell of the West Indies celebrates after taking the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Picture: Getty Images

Aaron Finch (6) was out caught behind beaten by a good delivery from the same bowler in the fourth over. David Warner (3) steered one from Sheldon Cottrell straight down the throat of backward point.

Khawaja backed away to legside to cut a Russell delivery when he was on 13 but managed only to snick it through to the keeper Shai Hope. It was a poor look for the batsman.

Glenn Maxwell looked just as bad, top edging the third ball he faced from Cottrell to be out for a duck when the team needed him to dig in and bat through.

When Marcus Stoinis (19) pulled a delivery from Jason Holder straight to mid-wicket the team was 5-79 and in real trouble.

Carey, the vice captain, played well for his 45 from 55 balls before hanging the bat out to a ball that he needed not bother with.

Australia were dismissed at the end of the 49th over.

Daniel Sankey 11.17pm: WICKET! Australia all out for 288

Mitchell Starc must have been watching Nathan Coulter-Nile a bit too closely. He’s played almost the exact shot to the one Coulter-Nile was dismissed with, for the exact same result — caught Jason Holder at long off off the bowling of Carlos Brathwaite. He departs for 8 (9 deliveries), Adam Zampa is left on 0 not out at the other end and Australia is all out for 288 on the final ball of the 49th over.

Given Australia were 4-38 and 5-79 earlier in the innings, a total of 288 is more than captain Aaron Finch could have hoped for. However, the Aussie bowlers will need to be on their game, with the West Indies boasting some of the biggest hitters in the game, including Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis and Andre Russell.

Daniel Sankey 11.14pm: WICKET! Coulter-Nile out for 92

If anyone deserved a century in this match, it was Nathan Coulter-Nile. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for the Australian fast bowler, who holes out to Jason Holder at long off for 92 (60 deliveries) off the bowling of Carlos Brathwaite.

Australia are 9-284 with 10 deliveries remaining, but firstly ... a quick reflection on Coulter-Nile’s achievement. His 92 is the highest score by anyone batting eight or lower in a World Cup match, surpassing Heath Streak’s 72 not out for Zimbabwe in the 2003 tournament. And to think there were some eyebrows raised when Coulter-Nile was sent in ahead of Pat Cummins today!

Daniel Sankey 11.04pm: WICKET! Australia 8-268

Pat Cummins’ stay at the crease is only brief, the paceman caught by Sheldon Cottrell after getting a top-edge to a Carlos Brathwaite bouncer.

Australia are now 8-268 with 23 deliveries remaining. Nathan Coulter-Nile is 80 not out (52 deliveries) and he’s been joined in the middle by Mitchell Starc.

Daniel Sankey 10.52pm: WICKET! Cottrell magic foils Smith

It was going to take something special for the West Indies to dismiss an in-form Steve Smith ... and boy, did Sheldon Cottrell just produce it.

Smith flicked a legside delivery from Oshane Thomas to the deep backward square leg boundary and it looked as though it would clear the fence for six ... until Cottrell stuck out a big left mitt, tossing the ball back into the field just before he ran over the boundary rope and then claimed the catch at the second attempt after he ran back into play.

Smith has to go for what could be a match-saving 73 (103 deliveries), leaving Australia at 7-249. Nathan Coulter-Nile (64 not out) will now have Pat Cummins for company with five-and-a-bit overs remaining.

Daniel Sankey 10.47pm: Milestone for Coulter-Nile

Take a bow, Nathan Coulter-Nile! The big paceman justifies his promotion above Pat Cummins in the batting line-up as he notches his first ODI half-century, moving to 50 n ot out (41 deliveries) with a lofted shot through the legside for two.

The next delivery he moves to 56 not out as he smashes Carlos Brathwaite back over his head for six. A single off the last ball of the 43rd over and Coulter-Nile moves to 57 not out (43 deliveries), taking the partnership with Steve Smith (67 not out, 99 deliveries) to 86 runs. Australia are now 6-233 and all of a sudden, a total of 280-plus seems well within reach ... especially given Andre Russell (2-41 from 8 overs) has been forced from the field with an injury.

Daniel Sankey 10.22pm: Smith gets his 50

Steve Smith brings up a well-deserved 50 in the 36th over as he cuts Sheldon Cottrell for four. The former Aussie captain is 53 not out (80 deliveries) as Australia moves to 6-181. Paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile (22 not out, 21 deliveries) is doing a terrific job at the other end as he looks to pull and hook anything short.

Daniel Sankey 9.55pm: WICKET! Carey falls, Aussies 6-147

Huge disappointment for Alex Carey, who’s edged Andre Russell through to wicketkeeper Shai Hope. He’s out for 45 (55 deliveries) and Australia are now 6-147.

Paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile has been promoted ahead of Pat Cummins in the batting order and joins Steve Smith (43 not out, 68 deliveries) with two deliveries remaining in the 31st over.

Daniel Sankey 9.50pm: Aussies right in the contest

There’s still plenty of work to do for Steve Smith and Alex Carey, but their unbeaten 67-run partnership has got Australia back in the game at 5-146.

After taking 15 deliveries to get off the mark — and playing a couple of false shots to boot — Carey has been super-impressive, moving along to 45 not out from just 54 deliveries. Smith (42 not out from 65 deliveries) hasn’t been as dashing but he’s embraced his role as Australia’s mainstay as he sets his sights on batting through the rest of Australia’s innings.

With 20 overs remaining, Australia will be hoping for a total in excess of 250.

Alex Carey goes on the attack. Picture: Getty Images
Alex Carey goes on the attack. Picture: Getty Images

9.28pm: Close call for Smith

Daniel Sankey 9.23pm: Ton up for Australia

A cracking cut shot for four from Alex Carey (16 not out) brings up the ton for Australia on the second ball of the 24th over. Carey then goes on with the job, smashing another two boundaries and a single to move along to 25 not out from 35 deliveries ... a fair effort, given he was languishing on 3 not from 25 deliveries just a few minutes ago.

Steve Smith is on 29 not out (49 deliveries) and Australia are 5-113.

Daniel Sankey 9.18pm: Smith the sole shining light

Former Australian captain Steve Smith (24 not out) is doing his best to keep Australia in the game at 5-86 after 22 overs.

At the other end, Alex Carey is struggling on 3 not out from 25 deliveries ... but at least he’s hanging in there, which is more than can be said for the rest of Australia’s top order.

8.59pm: Carey survives review

Daniel Sankey 8.52pm: WICKET! Australia 5-79

Just when Australia seemed to be building a partnership that could get them back into the match, Marcus Stoinis has fallen in reckless fashion. The all-rounder, who’d moved to 19 (23 deliveries) in a 41-run partnership with Steve Smith (22 not out off 36 deliveries) tried to pull a short-of-a-length delivery from Jason Holder but could only lob it directly into the waiting hands of Nicholas Pooran at short mid-wicket.

Australia are 5-79 in the 17th over, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey the new man in.

Daniel Sankey 8.30pm: Reason for optimism?

Former Australian fast bowler Damien Fleming certainly hasn’t written off Australia in this match, even though they seemingly have their backs against the wall at 4-54 (Steve Smith 9 not out, Marcus Stoinis 8 not out) after 11 overs.

As Fleming correctly points out, there is a little bit of history to go on. The Aussies managed to recover from 4-15 against the West Indies in the semi-finals of the 1996 World Cup to claim victory off the back of an outstanding 138-run partnership between Stuart Law (72) and Michael Bevan (69).

If Australia are going to win tonight on this small Trent Bridge ground, they’re going to need Smith and Stoinis to at the very, very least match that effort ... especially when you consider that Trent Bridge is the home to England’s world record ODI total of 481, made against Australia last year.

Daniel Sankey 8.11pm: WICKET! Australia 4-38

Glenn Maxwell ... what were you thinking? Facing just his second delivery, Maxwell tries to hook a short delivery from Sheldon Cottrell and skies a top edge that’s easily caught by wicketkeeper Shai Hope.

Maxwell is gone for a duck and Australia are now 4-38 after just 7.4 overs as Marcus Stoinis makes his way to the middle. So much now rests on the shoulders of Stoinis and Steve Smith, who’s on 4 not out.

Daniel Sankey 8.07pm: WICKET! Australia 3-36

Another one down for Australia and this time it’s Usman Khawaja (13), who’s backed away to Andre Russell before playing an undisciplined swipe outside off stump. He catches the outside edge and is brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Shai Hope.

Khawaja had clearly been unsettled by some fierce short-pitched bowling by the West Indies attack. He was struck on the helmet early in his innings and was very nearly caught behind square when pulling a short ball in the over before his dismissal.

The Aussies are now 3-36 in the seventh over, with Glenn Maxwell to join Steve Smith at the wicket.

Daniel Sankey 7.53pm: WICKET! Australia 2-26

Disaster for Australia, with David Warner (3) slashing a wide delivery from Sheldon Cottrell straight to Shimron Hetmeyer at backward point.

Australia slump to 2-26 after four overs, with former captain Steve Smith walking onto the ground to a chorus of boos. Usman Khawaja (7) is the not out batsman.

Daniel Sankey 7.41pm: WICKET! Australia 1-15 after 2.2 overs

Australia’s first wicket has fallen, with captain Aaron Finch (6) getting a feather-edge to an Oshane Thomas delivery that just moved fractionally off the seam.

Australia are 1-15 after 2.2 overs, with David Warner not out on 2 and Usman Khawaja about to join him in the middle.

Daniel Sankey 7.17pm: Stage set for Warner

Will the West Indies rue their decision to send in Australia on what looks to be a good batting pitch at Trent Bridge?

If statistics are anything to go by, it’s a decision that will play into the hands of Australia’s star opening batsman David Warner.

Since the 2015 World Cup, Warner has averaged a staggering 73.28 when the Aussies bat first. Admittedly, though, he has only played the solitary ODI (89 last week against Afghanistan) in the past 12 months!

Peter Lalor 7.09pm: Australia to bat first

The West Indies have won the toss and sent Australia in at Trent Bridge. Aaron Finch said he would have batted anyway.

The wicket was used three days ago for the Pakistan-England game and there are question marks over how it will play.

“I probably would have had a bat first anyway,” Finch said. “It looks quite dry, hopefully later in the game it starts to spin a little bit.”

AUSTRALIA: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

WEST INDIES: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (c), Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas

Peter Lalor 6.40pm: Chaos v control at Trent Bridge

Strap yourself in. If the mouthing off at the weigh in and lessons from the earlier bouts are to be believed the contest at Trent Bridge today between the West Indies and the Australians should be fun.

Chaos versus control. The hard hitting, short bowling West Indies know only one gear. The Australians have displayed a more conservative game plan, their quicks bowl their bats know no other way but to go hard and fast.

Andre Russell bowled just 18 balls in his team’s barn storming win over Pakistan, statistics indicated 15 were short or short of a length. Russell was offended when it was pointed out, he thought he’d been robbed. It was 16 he claimed. He had to argue with his captain when it was suggested he bowl a yorker to a batsman just arrived at the crease.

The West Indies needed 19 to win from the last over of the last T20 World Cup, Carlos Brathwaite figured he didn’t need that many. The batsman hit four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes leaving two balls to spare as commentator Ian Bishop bellowed: “REMEMBER THE NAME”.

Chris Gayle doesn’t hold with running between wickets. The vast majority of his runs these days come from balls bludgeoned to boundaries and beyond.

Chris Gayle. Picture: Getty Images
Chris Gayle. Picture: Getty Images

The batsman has scored 244 of his 289 recent runs in boundaries.

With the Australians there’s a sense that they’ve just tamed this pony and aren’t so sure of letting it have its head just yet.

Last time they were at this ground England made a record score against them.

Aaron Finch is hard but measured at the top of the order, but David Warner is still finding his feet. Literally. The usually aggressive opener scored a painstaking 89no in his return to Australian cricket against Afghanistan. His timing wasn’t here. He couldn’t get himself into position, but he stuck at it and squirted it around. The good thing was he didn’t become frustrated.

Steve Smith is re-emerging. He looks immaculate and the anticipation of miracles is high, but nobody is off their knees just yet.

The quicks, like their West Indian counterparts and most other fast bowlers in this tournament, believe the short ball is the best weapon.

England grounds are short straight. Pitch it up and you can be driven through covers or over your head. The square boundaries are deeper and the short ball encourages batsmen to hit in these areas.

Adam Zampa. Picture: Getty Images
Adam Zampa. Picture: Getty Images

Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa all took wickets in their first overs against Afghanistan and all the bowlers look good.

Sides have been tempting fate and starting with wrist spin in some of the matches, it is unlikely, however, that the Australians will attempt this against the West Indies.

Australia are expected to name an unchanged side.

4pm: Aussie bowlers prepare for pain

Australia’s bowlers have to be prepared to go for some runs on Trent Bridge’s world-record pitch against the West Indies, according to captain Aaron Finch.

Australia will play on the very same strip England have twice broken the one-day world record for the highest team total in the past three years, including last year against the Aussies.

Not content with the 4-444 they whacked against Pakistan in 2016, the hosts subjected Australia to 50 overs of misery last year when they struck 6-481 on the same piece of turf.

It’s helped Trent Bridge gain the reputation as one of the best batting grounds in the world in one-day cricket, with the average run-rate of 6.67 over the past five years the highest of any regular venue.

Australian captain Aaron Finch prepares for tonight’s match against the West Indies. Picture: Getty Images
Australian captain Aaron Finch prepares for tonight’s match against the West Indies. Picture: Getty Images

“You have to understand that in conditions like this you’re going to go for boundaries, so the key to bowling I think is to make sure that they’re hitting your best ball,” Finch said.

“If you’re executing your best ball over and over and they’re playing good shots in our percentages, then you have to wear that.

“You have to be prepared to suck up some pressure and soak up a few boundaries here and there, as long as we’re getting hit in our areas.

“We often talk about now good execution versus poor execution, and that’s all it is. Did they hit a good ball for four? Yeah, so don’t worry about that. If it’s poor execution or a poor plan on my behalf, then it’s something to reassess at the end of the game.”

The record-breaking pitch is just to the right of the centre of the square, with a 65-metre boundary on one side of the ground.

That could well play into the hands of the big-hitting West Indies, who expect to have Chris Gayle at their disposal as he recovers from a back injury.

“It’s going to play a big part, no doubt,” Finch said.

“I think when teams have got left- and right-hand combinations, they’ve always got somebody able to target that boundary.

West Indies’ star opener Chris Gayle bats in the nets yesterday. Picture: AFP
West Indies’ star opener Chris Gayle bats in the nets yesterday. Picture: AFP

“That’s something that will be taken into account, no doubt, throughout the game. And as a bowling unit, it’s about defending the big side.”

Meanwhile, Australia are expected to resist the urge to play a second spinner, despite the wicket being notably dry after Monday’s clash between Pakistan and England.

Daniel Sankey 3.30pm: Langer reflects on 2018 shocker

Australian coach Justin Langer admits England’s record score of 6-481 against his team at Trent Bridge last year is definitely in the back of his mind ahead of tonight’s World Cup clash against the West Indies.

“We’ve had some really good times here at Trent Bridge and last year was a down (time),” he said yesterday.

Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc will face a hostile reception from the West Indies’ batsmen tonight. Picture: AP
Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc will face a hostile reception from the West Indies’ batsmen tonight. Picture: AP

“I remember we turned up and everyone was pretty, the spirits were pretty high, and … whoa. That (conceding 6-481) was unbelievable.

“I remember walking down to the gate at the end … almost wanting to give all the boys a hug because it was brutal. No doubt about that.”

Australia’s team for tonight’s match will bear little resemblance to the XI that was humbled by England in June last year.

None of the four specialist bowlers — Billy Stanlake, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye and Ashton Agar — made the final squad for the 2019 World Cup, while the likes of batsmen Darcy Short and Travis Head have made way for the returning David Warner and Steve Smith.

Read related topics:David WarnerPat Cummins

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2019-live-coverage-of-australia-v-west-indies-at-trent-bridge/news-story/78fa6fd8255bab784d3511d32ca3c4b8