Australia vs Oman - Stoinis stars for Australia after early wobble

25m ago

Australia's campaign - and bid for titles across all three formats - was underway with what is ultimately a comfortable victory.

When Glenn Maxwell fell for a golden duck, continuing his horror run with the bat, they were 50 for 3 and thoughts briefly turned to what could unfold but Marcus Stoinis and David Warner added 102 off 64 balls to ensure Australia did not stumble early.

Stoinis was dropped on 9 then bludgeoned six sixes in his innings as he turned around a sluggish start with Oman’s bowlers keeping pressure on their big-name opponents for 14 overs. It was hard work for Warner, who became Australia’s leading run-scorer in men’s T20Is, but he used his experience to not throw the innings away.

Australia were then largely efficient with the ball as Mitchell Starc struck in the opening over with a toe-crushing yorker – although he was later unable to complete his spell as he left the field but it was confirmed as cramp - and Stoinis’ fine day continue as he added three wickets. Nathan Ellis, who had been selected ahead of the rested Pat Cummins, struck in his first over to claim a maiden World Cup wicket.

43m ago

It might just be cramp, but it could be a concern for Australia. Mitchell Starc had to leave the field after one ball (a wide) at the start of his fourth over

1h ago

From the moment he was given a life on 9 - and another near-miss on 13 - Marcus Stoinis hasn't put a foot wrong. He has now added two wickets in his first two overs to the vital runs, finding bounce and movement out of the pitch, as things start to look comfortable for Australia

1h ago

A mixed bag from Mitchell Starc to start things off. For a moment he had a second wicket, but Joel Wilson's poor on-field decision was overturned

2h ago

It was tough early on, and at 50 for 3 Australia were under pressure, but they have played very well in the second half of the innings to make 108 runs off the latter 10 overs. That was led by Marcus Stoinis with David Warner working hard for his fifty then Tim David added a few boundaries late on. The total of 164 feels very good on a tricky surface and you will back Australia to defend it. But Oman certainly had their moments.

Ricky Ponting talked up the value of David Warner yesterday and his experience has come to the fore in tricky conditions with a 46-ball half-century while Stoinis has provided the power. Warner hasn't found it easy going but hasn't given it away, although there may be a debate about the deliveries he has eaten up with Tim David in the sheds.

2h ago

27 Balls for Stoinis' fifty

And he was 9 off 14 balls after being dropped...

2h ago

Marcus Stoinis making the most of a life when he was dropped by the keeper off an edge against Aqib Ilyas. He's cleared the rope four times in an over to bring some life to the innings.

From Sampath: Stoinis is only the second Australia batter to hit four sixes in a over at the men's T20 World Cup, after David Hussey off Mohammad Sami in 2010

2h ago

Here's Mel Farrell from Barbados

Reputation, shreputation. Oman’s players have cared not a jot for Australia’s status. Sure, the pitch may be tricky but that should take nothing away from Oman’s bowling attack, which has teased and probed. Nor should it overshadow Prathik Athavale’s constant pressure behind the stumps. And conditions have naught to do with the gusto of their fielding. When Aqib Ilyas, fielding at cover, hurled his body at a Mitch Marsh drive to save a certain four, Ayaan Khan ran all the way in from the boundary rope for a high five. But it was just a taster. Glenn Maxwell made the mistake of testing the skipper when he drove his first ball from Mehran Khan hard to Aqib’s left. Was the full stretch diving catch a blinder, a screamer, a pearler, an abso-freaking-lute cracker? Pick your superlative. It was stupendous.

What could Oman chase?

345 votes

5.2 Maxwell's batting average since start of the IPL

3h ago

What a moment (or two of them) for Oman. Mehran Khan has given himself a memory for a lifetime by claiming Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell in consecutive balls. Maxwell's wicket came courtesy of a wonderful catch at cover by captain Aqib Ilyas who had talked a good game yesterday. He said his players could be heroes. His catch is one worth framing. For Maxwell, it continues his horror run with the bat after a miserable IPL. Marcus Stoinis survived the hat-trick ball. Is something special brewing?

David Warner has ticked off a record as his international career begins its final stage by becoming Australia's leading men's run-scorer in T20Is, overtaking former captain Aaron Finch. Moments before, he survived a close stumping appeal as he just managed to keep his toe ground behind the line

37 Australia's powerplay

Oman have kept a pretty tight leash on Australia during the fielding restrictions although David Warner and Mitchell Marsh have found the boundary towards the end of the six overs to release some of the pressure. The signs are that this pitch will not be easy for free-scoring.

3h ago

4h ago

4h ago

It's been a notable 12 months for Mitchell Marsh and now he is leading Australia at this World Cup. Captaincy has always been in his blood, but for a while his career path suggested it wouldn't happen at the top level.

5h ago

It's time for another of the powerhouse teams to get their T20 World Cup campaign underway with Australia starting against Oman. Led by Mitchell Marsh, they have a chance to hold silverware across all three formats following last year's World Test Championship and ODI successes. It would be quite the haul.

There have been some challenges to their build-up with players arriving later after the IPL, but they have a very strong-looking squad with plenty of options.

Shakeel Ahmed c Warner b Ellis 11 (10b 1x4 0x6 21m) SR: 110