A Matthew Wade drop behind the stumps has robbed Adam Zampa of a T20 World Cup hat-trick – and the leg-spinner took him to task over it.
Zampa captured Australia’s best-ever bowling figures at a T20 World Cup in an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dubai, finishing with 5-19 as Australia rolled their opponents for just 73 runs in 15 overs.
But the Melbourne Stars weapon would have also had an international hat-trick to show if Wade hadn’t grassed an edge from Bangladesh batter Taskin Ahmed in the 15th over.
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https://twitter.com/FoxCricket/status/1456224219834900496
“That was my hat-trick ball,” Zampa twice shouted to Wade from the opposite end of the pitch.
“Yeah, I tried to catch it,” Wade quipped back.
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When asked about the missed opportunity on Fox Cricket after the game, Zampa brushed the drop aside and commended Wade on his keeping during the tournament.
“I think if it wasn’t for Wadey’s hands at the moment I wouldn’t have as many wickets as I’ve been getting,” Zampa said.
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“He’s been keeping beautifully well.
“Tough catch.”
Australia chased the meagre Bangladesh total in just 6.2 overs, with captain Aaron Finch leading the way in a knock of 40 from 20 balls at the top of the order.
Mitch Marsh also produced an entertaining cameo on his return to Australia’s XI, blasting an unbeaten 16 off just five balls.
Crucially, Australia have not only matched South Africa on wins in the group-one stage but pushed ahead on net run-rate.
Australia and South Africa are fighting to join group-one leader England in the semi-finals.