From Queens Park, Port-of-Spain

Three consecutive maidens from Josh Hazlewood and a rapid half-century from David Warner have steered Australia to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Namibia in their first T20 World Cup warm-up match in Trinidad – but it was coach Andrew McDonald who stole the show.

Sub-fielding for an undermanned Australian IX, with five players in their 14-man squad including star quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc en route for the IPL, the 42-year old, who played four Tests for Australia in 2009, replaced Hazlewood for the final five overs of the Namibian innings, receiving the biggest cheer of the day from his teammates with a diving stop in the deep to prevent a four.

Namibia’s total of 119 off their 20 overs was swiftly reeled in by Warner and co., the veteran opener shaping up for the tournament in ideal fashion with a 21-ball 54, including hitting the winning boundary to complete the chase in exactly 10 overs.

McDonald wasn’t the only former Australian Test player filling in in the field, with one-time stars George Bailey and Brad Hodge along with fielding coach Andre Borovec all stepping in, Hodge even proving he’s lost little of his touch ahead of his 50th birthday later this year with a catch.

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