Australian Blind T20 World Cup campaign reaches crucial stages

The Australian T20 World Cup for the Blind campaign is delicately poised at the midway point of the inaugural tournament in Bangalore, India.

A nine-wicket victory against Nepal last night AEDT time strengthened the Australian team's record after a 65-run win over the West Indies was counterbalanced by defeats to India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Central College Cricket ground played host to Australia's most recent victory. Batting first, Nepal compiled 8-132 from its allotted 20 overs, restricted in large part by Peter Robinson's four wickets.

Australia cruised past the total in the 16th over with Matt McCarthy unbeaten on 56. Robinson was adjudged the player of the match for his performance.

Australia needs to win all three of its remaining preliminary matches against Bangladesh, England and South Africa to give themselves a chance of reaching the final stages of the tournament.

Nine nations are contesting the inaugural T20 World Cup for the Blind: Australia, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India.

In all, 39 matches will be staged over two weeks at Bangalore's Central College and Aditya Global Sports Grounds.

Fixtures

Game 1
India 2-341 (Prakash Jayaramiah 172 (75))
Def.
Australia 8-126

Game 2
Australia 6-239 (Mathew Horsey 60 (37), Lindsay Heaven 59 (50))
Def.
West Indies: 174 (Raymond Moxly 3-38)

Game 3
Sri Lanka 3-234 (Chandana Deshapriya 129 (54), Matt McCarthy 2-21)
Def.
Australia 5-233 (Lindsay Heaven 104 (58), Mathew Horsey 73 (40))

Game 4
Pakistan 0-63
Def.
Australia 6-60 (Brit Wilson 23 (22))

Game 5
Australia 1-133 (Matt McCarthy 56)
Def.
Nepal 8-132 (Peter Robinson 4-12)

Game 6
07/12 Australia vs. Bangladesh

Game 7
08/12 England vs. Australia

Game 8
09/12 Australia vs. South Africa