Cricket World Cup BLUNDER saw the Aussies face a five-ball over in farcical scenes that could cost the home side a place in the semi-finals
Controversy has marred Australia’s great escape against Afghanistan to keep their T20 Cricket World Cup hopes alive after it was revealed they were robbed of a delivery at a crucial stage in the match.
Australia’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals are on life support, with the home side relying on England to beat Sri Lanka in today’s final group stage matches.
But they could have been ended altogether last night in the tight four-run win over Afghanistan where Australia faced a five-ball over on its way to a below-par score of 8-168.
Australia faced just five deliveries in the fourth over of their T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan – which could’ve been a campaign ending blunder
Umpires Aleem Dar and Langton Rusere called a switch of ends after just five deliveries in the fourth over of the Australian innings when David Warner was hitting for the hills.
Australia were striking at 10 an over when an extra ball was logged on the graphics screen at Adelaide Oval, with Warner and Mitchell Marsh running an overthrow on the fourth delivery.
Glenn Maxwell launches a slog in the final overs of Australia’s match against Afghanistan – he finished 54 not out
The following ball the Aussies scored three – but that was the end of the over according to 69-game T20 international official Dar.
While the score was later corrected, Afghanistan had the luxury of batting a full innings.
A late surge from superstar Rashid Khan almost got the Afghani’s home, as he smoked Marcus Stoinis for 16 in the final over.
Glenn Maxwell was Australia’s best in the middle, smashing 54 off 32, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood were strong with the ball.
After the game, cricket fans shared their outrage at the unprofessional blunder, which almost cost Australia a chance at the semis.
‘Five-ball overs happen every now and then in village cricket. Not so much in World Cups,’ Wisden Cricket tweeted.
The narrow win means Sri Lanka must now defeat England to stop them from gaining two group points.
Pat Cummins steams onto the pitch in front of veteran umpire Aleem Dar – who let slide a five-ball over blunder
Marcus Stoinis sighs in relief after Australia secured a win against Afghanistan that keeps their World Cup campaign alive
Australia’s net run rate is the worst out of New Zealand and England, meaning a three way points tie would see the hosts drop to third spot and miss out on the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka have defeated the Netherlands and Ireland during their Cup campaign but are no chance of a finals appearance.
England can win by any margin to secure their semi-final birth, seeing Australia fell short last night of their 190-run target.