Australia had to use chief selector George Bailey and fielding coach Andre Borovec as fielders to make up a complete XI during their warm-up match against Namibia ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Chief selector George Bailey was used as a fielder by Australia in their warm-up match against Namibia. (Photo: Cricket Australia)

New Delhi: There were unusual scenes at Trinidad’s Queen’s Park Oval as Australia took on Namibia in their first warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 which gets underway next month. Australia were forced to use a couple of their support staff as fielders in the game due to the unavailability of the majority of their squad. A number of players are yet to link up with the Australian squad in Trinidad as they have been given a short break after the conclusion of the IPL 2024.

Australia had to use chief selector George Bailey and fielding coach Andre Borovec as fielders to field a complete XI after captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first. Coaches Andrew McDonald and Brad Hodge were also named as substitute fielders in the squad for the practice match against Namibia. Australia could name only 9 players from their squad and used the support staff as fielders in the game.

However, 9-man Australia comfortably defeated Namibia by seven wickets in the warm-up match after impressive spells from pacer Josh Hazlewood and spinner Adam Zampa. Hazlewood struck in the very first over to dismiss Namibia opener Micahel Van Lingen on a duck before removing his opening partner Niko Davin on 14. Making a comeback from an injury, the pacer looked in good rhythm as he conceded only 5 runs off his 4 overs and returned with two wickets.

Hazlewood was well supported by Zama, who ran through Namibia’s middle order. The leg-spinner picked up three wickets while giving away 25 runs off his 4 overs as Namibia were restricted to a low-key 119/9 in 20 overs in the warm-up match. Nathan Ellis and all-rounder Tim David also bowled their quotas of 4 overs and picked up a wicket apiece.