Australia were knocked out of the T20 World Cup after back-to-back defeats against Afghanistan and India in the Caribbean Super Eight.
Afghanistan’s dramatic win over Bangladesh in Kingstown sealed Australia’s fate on Tuesday, preventing the 2021 champions from becoming the first country to combine three major ICC trophies.
Rashid Khan’s side, who qualified for the tournament for the first time in an ICC competition, face South Africa in the semi-finals on Thursday, while reigning champions England face India the following morning.
Get all the latest cricket news, highlights and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Register now!
Afghanistan dramatically toppled Bangladesh | 02:08
Travis Head — 8
255 runs at 42.50, SR 158.38.
HS 76, 250s
Head was the second highest run-scorer in the tournament when the Super Eights were completed, hitting quick fifties against Scotland and India.
The left-hander also helped Australia get off to a fast start in their group match against England.
However, Head’s defense was far from top-notch in the Caribbean this month, with South Australia losing chances and being overthrown by mistakes.
Head & Warner BONKERS in the first 5 overs. 01:49
David Warner—7
178 runs at 29.66, SR 139.06.
HS 56, 250s
Warner’s 15-year international career ended with a whimper as he failed to survive Australia’s first chase against India at Gros Islet.
The veteran opener’s gritty fifty saved Australia in their tournament opener against Oman and he followed up with another half-century against Bangladesh in the Super Eights.
But Warner denied teammate Pat Cummins a rare double hat-trick in the Super Eight contest against Afghanistan, costing him a chance in regulation in the outfield.
Warner is in comical confusion! | 00:36
Mitchell Marsh — 3
125 runs at 20.83, SR 116.82.
HS 37, not 50s
The Australian captain looked undercooked throughout the tournament and failed to unearth the momentum with the bat in the Caribbean.
Marsh almost made amends in Tuesday’s must-win Super Eight match against India, combining with opener Travis Head for a quick 81-run scoring partnership before Axar Patel caught the boundary rope.
Western Australia, who have not delivered in the West Indies this month, have also dropped at least three catches during the campaign.
“I think I dropped three…” | 01:09
Glenn Maxwell — 5
132 runs at 26.40, SR 141.93.
HS 59, one fifty
3 wickets at 34.33, Econ 8.58, BB 2-44.
Maxwell’s T20 World Cup campaign started with a golden duck against Oman, but it didn’t take long for the Victorian to start finding his feet.
The 35-year-old threatened to repeat the heroics he showed for Mumbai against Afghanistan during the Super Eight but could not get the job done.
He bowled brilliantly against Bangladesh last week, but his off-spin throughout the tournament proved costly.
Maxy trolls fans after Bairstow catch | 00:43
Marcus Stoinis – 9
169 runs at 42.25, SR 164.07.
HS 67*, 250s
10 wickets at 15.10, Econ 8.88, BB 3-19.
Stoinis was undoubtedly Australia’s player of the tournament.
The West Australian became the fourth cricketer to take 10 wickets and score over 160 runs in a T20 World Cup campaign, joining white-ball superstars Shane Watson, Shahid Afridi and Sikandar Raza in the illustrious list.
He rescued Australia in their tournament opener against Oman before hitting another crucial 50 against Scotland, winning the man-of-the-match award on both occasions.
Tim David — 4
61 runs at 15.25, SR 148.78.
HS 24*, 0.50
You could be forgiven for forgetting that David was in the Caribbean this month.
Apart from a brief cameo against Scotland, Western Australia had little opportunity to bat in the group stages.
The Australians were desperate for him to step up for this week’s Super Eight match against Afghanistan, but he has been sidelined for two games.
Kohli catches his second duck in the World Cup | 01:01
Matthew Wade — 3
27 runs at 13.50, SR 112.50
HS 17*, no 50 points
3 catches, zero obstacles
Wade has been a standout performer for the domestic T20 side over the past three years, but has failed to make a worthwhile contribution in the Caribbean this month.
Barring a missed stumping at Kingstown at the weekend, the Tasmanian has been clean with the gloves, but has failed to hold the bat properly during run chases against Afghanistan and India in the Super Eight.
He was also sanctioned by the ICC for his altercation with referee Nitin Menon during the group stage match against England.
Wade cracks up after dead-ball drama | 00:58
Pat Cummins – 8
9 wickets at 16.00, Econ 7.57
BB 3-28
Cummins wasn’t necessarily considered a great death bowler before this year’s T20 World Cup, but he proved his worth in the Super Eights.
The New South Welshman took hat-tricks against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, becoming only the second cricketer to achieve the feat in consecutive international matches.
Despite bowling primarily during the Powerplay and at the death, he maintained a respectable economy pace throughout the tournament.
Cummins scores another World Cup hat trick | 00:51
Mitchell Starc — 5
5 wickets at 30.80, Econ 8.55
BB 2-20
Starc was a controversial figure in Australia’s must-win match against Afghanistan and the left-arm quick’s absence was keenly felt as Rashid Khan’s men unleashed massive mayhem in Kingstown.
The New South Welshman was, as usual, damaged by conceding a lot of runs in the Powerplay, most notably conceding 29 runs in one over during Tuesday’s loss to India.
During the tournament, he surpassed Lasith Malinga’s record of 94 scalps to become the highest wicket-taker in World Cup history.
Rohit smashes Starc in one go for 4 6 seconds | 01:13
Ashton Agar — 4
1 wicket at 56.00, Econ 7.00
BB 1-39
Agar has played twice in this year’s T20 World Cup, with his only casualty being Scotland opener Michael Jones.
While the left-arm tweaker’s arm ball proved to be an effective weapon during the powerplay, he conceded just 17 runs from four overs in Australia’s Super Eight loss to Afghanistan.
However, Agar’s defending was woeful at the Arnos Vale Ground over the weekend.
Defensive problems hamper Australia early | 00:53
Nathan Ellis – 7
4 wickets at 18.50, Econ 6.72
BB 2-28
Ellis played in three group stage matches as Australia rotated through their fast bowlers, but the Tasmanian seamer arguably should have played more.
The cunning right-hand man once again held his own on the international stage, despite only facing allies Oman, Namibia and Scotland.
He might become a regular member of Australia’s T20 starting XI after this tournament.
Adam Zampa – 9
13 wickets at 14.38, Econ 6.67
BB 4-12
What about Zampa and the T20 World Cup?
The leg-spinner was Australia’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament and was awarded the man-of-the-match award after his classy performances against England and Namibia.
The only Australian player to take more wickets in a T20 World Cup campaign was Dirk Nannes in 2010.
Zampa is also on the verge of surpassing Shane Warne’s wicket record in international white-ball terms.
Zampa takes 4 to reach 100 T20I wickets | 01:44
Josh Hazelwood — 6
4 wickets at 36.25, Econ 6.04.
BB 2-18
Bendemeer Bullet barely made any breakthroughs with the ball throughout the T20 World Cup, taking several wickets only during Australia’s win over Namibia.
But Hazlewood’s tenacious line and length allowed him to finish the tournament with Australia’s lowest strike rate, and he also put in an exceptional performance against India on Tuesday.
Unfortunately, his most memorable contribution in the Caribbean was his grandiose comments about Australia’s net-scoring dilemma in the group stage, which attracted the attention of the British media.
Will Australia attack to eliminate England? | 00:51
