In the showdown between Australia and the Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the Australians won the coin toss and elected to bat. Pat Cummins and his team didn’t get off to an ideal start, losing the in-form Mitchell Marsh in just the fourth over.
Nevertheless, the partnership of Warner and Smith came to the fore, steadying Australia’s innings. Yet, amid their partnership, an incident occurred where Smith’s cautiousness nearly jeopardized their collaboration.
In the 17th over’s opening ball, Warner gently nudged a good-length delivery from Colin Ackermann towards the leg stump, directing it to the left of the mid-wicket area and initiated a quick single. However, Smith, who was engrossed in watching the ball, initially responded to Warner’s call but then had a change of heart when Warner was already halfway down the pitch.
Consequently, both batsmen found themselves stranded at the non-striker’s end. Fortunately for the left-handed Warner, Max O’Dowd, positioned at mid-wicket, fumbled, affording Warner an opportunity to regain his position at the striker’s end.
Warner was visibly frustrated by this lapse and made his discontent clear to Smith. The run seemed attainable, but Smith, who had been struggling with the bat recently, displayed hesitance and nearly put Warner’s wicket in jeopardy.