Rain ruins the game, and Mitchell Starc scores a hat-trick
The World Cup warm-up game between Australia and the Netherlands had to be abandoned due to rain on Saturday, despite Mitchell Starc’s outstanding all-around performance, which included a hat-trick.
The Netherlands were 84-6 in 14.2 overs were chasing 167 in a match with a 23-over limit when rain in Thiruvananthapuram decided the outcome.
Australia finished the game with a score of 166-7, with Steve Smith scoring the game’s highest total with a 42-ball 55. The World Cup warm-up matches are not actual ODIs.
With the last two balls of the first over, Starc struck, rattling the Dutch with his left-arm speed. He then took another wicket with the first delivery of the second over.
Despite Colin Ackermann’s 31 not out, the Dutch kept evaporating as the quick bowler dismissed Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, and Max O’Dowd for ducks.
The former captain Smith’s opening partner Josh Inglis was out for a duck after Australia lost the toss and elected to bat first. Nevertheless, he responded with four fours and three sixes in spite of the opposing bowlers regularly taking wickets.
The innings were completed by Alex Carey’s 28, Cameron Green’s 34, and Starc’s unbeaten 22-ball 24.
De Leede, Roelof van der Merwe, and Logan van Beek all claimed two wickets.
