**BRIDGETOWN (BARBADOS), June 6:** Marcus Stoinis Stars as Australia Triumph over Oman in T20 World Cup Opener
Marcus Stoinis played a pivotal role with both bat and ball as Australia commenced their T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 39-run victory against Oman at the Kensington Oval.
Stoinis rescued Australia from an early collapse with a blistering unbeaten 67 off 36 balls, supported by David Warner’s 56, steering them to a competitive total of 164/5.
In response, Oman faltered under pressure, managing only 125/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Stoinis, displaying all-round prowess, also excelled with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs in his three overs.
Nathan Ellis and Mitchell Starc provided early breakthroughs for Australia, pegging back Oman’s top order. Despite a resilient 36 from Ayaan Khan, Oman struggled to counter Australia’s dominance.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Australia faced initial setbacks but recovered well, largely due to Stoinis and Warner’s partnership of 102 runs for the fourth wicket.
Warner’s cautious yet impactful innings saw him surpass Aaron Finch as Australia’s highest run-scorer in T20 cricket, reaching 3,120 runs in his 104th match.
Stoinis, on the other hand, showcased aggression, smashing two fours and six sixes in his unbeaten knock, steering Australia to a challenging total.
For Oman, Mehran Khan claimed two wickets, while Bilal Khan and Kaleemullah chipped in with one each. Skipper Aqib Ilyas delivered a commendable spell, conceding only 18 runs in his four overs.
Australia’s comprehensive victory sets a positive tone for their T20 World Cup campaign, with Stoinis emerging as a standout performer in the opener.
