Australia retrieved in a fantastic World Cup meeting at Trent Bridge from a terrible beginning to beat West Indies by 15 runs. A day when fortunes fluctuated all over could have been over rapidly when the fierce pace attack on the West Indies lowered the defending champions to 38-4 and 79-5.
Australia was kept together by the unflattering Steve Smith, who produced 73 and was rejected only by Sheldon Cottrell’s most incredible border catch, one that may have improved England’s Ben Stokes ‘ grip on South Africa’s opening match.
By the moment Smith was out, Nathan Coulter-Nile had already started hitting his authority in a 60-ball 92 that lifted Australia to 288 all out, battling at number eight. After threatening to provoke Chris Gayle in his 21, the 68 of Shai Hope anchored West Indies. Ultimately, the chase was left to captain Jason Holder, but both he and Carlos Brathwaite dropped from Mitchell Starc in the same way, whose 5-46 helped limit the Windies to 273-9.
