Oman Vs Australia: Renshaw returns for dead-rubber in Pallekele
Matt Renshaw returns to Australia's XI for the oman vs australia dead‑rubber at Pallekele, a match that carries extra weight because Australia have not yet won a chase in this World Cup.
Oman Vs Australia — Bartlett strikes early
Xavier Bartlett produced the perfect start for Australia with a hooping in‑swinger that bowled Aamir Kaleem first ball, leaving Oman 4-1 after the opening over at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The first over also featured a huge knick that Glenn Maxwell dropped in the slips, a missed chance that kept the Oman innings alive even as Bartlett beat Karan Sonavale three times in that same opening over.
Powerplay drama: 39-3 after five overs
By the end of the fifth over Oman were 39-3, with Jatinder Singh and Hammad Mirza at the crease. The scoreboard moved through: 13-1 after two overs, 20-1 after three, 33-2 at the end of the fourth and 39-3 at five overs. Nathan Ellis conceded five wides in one over and later saw his first delivery bunted over mid on for four by Sonavale; Ellis and Bartlett both featured among the Australian attackers during the Powerplay.
Bartlett’s swing and a dropped slip catch
Bartlett’s early movement tested Oman's top order: he forced a top‑edge that Maxwell could not hold at slip, and later his pace and late swing troubled the batters, including a delivery that beat Oman's captain. Sonavale countered with a lively start — he spanked a length ball through the covers for four after being beaten earlier — but Oman lost wickets at regular intervals, leaving them three down inside five overs.
Line-ups, conditions and what the captains said
Australia named Mitchell Marsh as captain with Matt Renshaw in the XI, while Oman picked Jatinder Singh as captain with Aamir Kaleem opening alongside him. The players emerged for the anthems on a wicket described as unused and under fair weather in Pallekele; Jatinder Singh said he would have chosen to bat first, and play has followed that plan through the early overs.
Play continues at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium with Oman 39-3 after five overs and Australia probing with Bartlett and Ellis early in the attack; the match will proceed for the remainder of the scheduled overs at the ground.
