Australia Masters Secure Thrilling Win Over England Masters, Set Up Semifinal Clash with India Masters
Australia Masters kept their hopes alive for the International Masters League (IML) 2025 title with a nerve-wracking three-wicket win over England Masters in the final group-stage match. The victory at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium ensured Australia Masters finished third on the points table, setting up a crucial semifinal clash with India Masters, who secured second place.
Chasing a daunting 210 for victory, Australia Masters made an early change to their batting lineup, which proved to be a masterstroke. Shaun Marsh and Daniel Christian put up a solid 52-run partnership at the top, with Christian leading the charge. Christian’s aggressive 61 off 28 balls, which included seven boundaries and four sixes, was the highlight of Australia’s chase.
Despite losing Marsh early for 20, the Australians maintained their momentum as Nathan Reardon took control with a blistering 83 off 39 balls, peppering the boundary with nine fours and five sixes. The partnership between Christian and Reardon put Australia in a strong position before Monty Panesar slowed things down with the vital wicket of Christian.
Reardon continued to anchor the chase, first with Ben Cutting (12) and later with wicketkeeper Peter Nevill (28). However, a spell of brilliance from England’s Tim Bresnan brought the game closer. Bresnan’s five-wicket haul, including the key wickets of Reardon, Nevill, and Ben Laughlin, brought England back into the contest. With two runs required off the final over, Australia’s captain, Shane Watson, held his nerve to seal the win with five balls to spare.
Earlier, England Masters posted a formidable total of 209/3, built around explosive knocks from Eoin Morgan and Tim Ambrose. Morgan’s brutal 64 off 32 balls set the tone, while Ambrose’s elegant 69* off 44 balls carried England to a challenging total. Their partnership with Darren Maddy (29 off 19) for the third wicket ensured England posted a daunting target.
Australia Masters will now face India Masters in the first semifinal on Thursday, while the second semifinal will see Sri Lanka Masters, led by Kumar Sangakkara, take on West Indies Masters. The winners of these semifinals will advance to Sunday’s final.
Brief Scores:
- England Masters: 209/3 (Tim Ambrose 69* off 44 balls, Eoin Morgan 64 off 32 balls, Darren Maddy 29 off 19 balls)
- Australia Masters: 210/7 (Nathan Reardon 83 off 39 balls, Daniel Christian 61 off 28 balls, Peter Nevill 28; Tim Bresnan 5/45)
- Result: Australia Masters won by 3 wickets.
