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Colombo – Australia’s middle order, led by Matt Renshaw’s 65 from 44 balls, could not haul in Zimbabwe’s 170 for 7 and now stare at a possible early exit from the T20 World Cup. The chase petered out at 156 for 8, leaving the dressing-room flat and Renshaw wondering how they let a gettable target slip.
“We probably should have chased that down,” he said. “I don’t think it’s the bowling group that should get the blame today.”
Key moments came early. Australia were 29 for 4 inside five overs, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava finding just enough nip to remove David Warner, Travis Head and Tim David cheaply. Renshaw then shared 77 with Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32) but the pair never quite wrestled back the run-rate. Whenever the partnership threatened to cut loose, Renshaw admitted, Zimbabwe found a way.
“[Zimbabwe] bowled really well at the start, took some early wickets, and felt like every time we built some momentum, they got a breakthrough,” he said. “That partnership with Maxi was important. But we couldn’t get enough momentum in there to chase that down. It was too many.”
Australia arrived with a rejigged order. Mitchell Marsh is sidelined by a testicular injury and Marcus Stoinis batted with a bruised left hand after collecting a blow while fielding. Renshaw moved up one spot, not that he wanted to lean on that as an excuse.
“I think our batting group is so fluid with different options,” Renshaw said. “With our experience in Big Bash cricket, we’re very suited to going in different spots throughout the middle.”
He then acknowledged the Marsh void. “Having Mitch out is a big loss and not sure when he’ll be back. He’s a big player to open the batting, and when he’s not there, someone else has to open… Unfortunately, we just lost wickets the wrong time today.”
Bowling is lower on the list of worries. Adam Zampa’s four overs cost only 23 and Pat Cummins found a late yorker or two. The unit, Renshaw believes, is still good enough even without Josh Hazlewood, who has already flown home with a side strain and is yet to be formally replaced in the squad.
“I think the bowlers in the group that are here are good enough. You’ve seen them perform so many times in world cricket. Sometimes they just don’t get the wickets, and the ball lands in the gap.”
Mathematically, Australia must now beat both Ireland and Pakistan and hope net run-rate works in their favour. Practically, they need their top order to fire and for Marsh or a like-for-like replacement to return. For now, Renshaw’s half-century is little comfort. He knows, and he kept repeating it, they should have chased that down.
