Synopsis
Australia Masters triumphed over England Masters by three wickets, setting up a semifinal clash with India Masters in IML 2025. Nathan Reardon's explosive 83 and Daniel Christian's aggressive 61 led the chase. England posted 209 runs, with Tim Ambrose scoring 69 not out.Key Takeaways
- Australia Masters secured a tense win against England Masters.
- Nathan Reardon scored an explosive 83 runs.
- Daniel Christian contributed with a rapid 61 runs.
- England Masters set a challenging target of 209 runs.
- The semifinals are set for Thursday, featuring India Masters.
Raipur, March 12 (NationPress) The Australia Masters fine-tuned their strategy in preparation for Thursday’s first semifinal against India Masters after securing a tense three-wicket win over their historical rivals England Masters in the concluding group stage match of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Wednesday.
This victory confirmed that Australia Masters finished third in the IML standings, setting the stage for their knockout showdown against the second-placed India Masters.
With the semifinal in mind, Australia Masters adjusted their batting lineup while pursuing a challenging target of 210 runs. This strategy proved effective, as the new opening duo of Shaun Marsh and Daniel Christian laid a solid foundation with a 52-run partnership. Although Marsh was dismissed after a quick 12-ball 20, Christian showcased his attacking prowess, dismantling the English bowling attack with seven boundaries and four towering sixes in a brisk 28-ball 61.
Nathan Reardon then contributed significantly with a blistering 83, ensuring that Australia Masters stayed competitive. Reardon and Christian’s partnership yielded 52 runs for the second wicket, allowing the Aussies to surpass the 100-run mark, before left-arm spinner Monty Panasar slowed their momentum by taking Christian’s crucial wicket.
Reardon continued to lead the charge alongside Ben Cutting (12) and later with wicketkeeper Peter Nevill (28), until Tim Bresnan’s five-wicket haul momentarily halted the Australians’ progress.
Bresnan effectively curtailed Australia Masters’ innings by claiming Reardon’s wicket after a 39-ball innings filled with nine boundaries and five sixes. With the target in sight, Bresnan struck twice in succession to dismiss Nevill and James Pattinson, before sealing his fifth wicket with Ben Laughlin.
Earlier, England Masters, with nothing to lose, displayed a bold approach after electing to bat, led by explosive half-centuries from Eoin Morgan (64) and Tim Ambrose (69 not out), setting a challenging total of 209/3. Morgan’s aggressive opening stint, alongside Phil Mustard (17 off 17), established a strong foundation for England.
Morgan swiftly reached a 27-ball fifty, hitting five fours and an equal number of sixes. Mustard fell to leg-spinner Bryce McGain while attempting to accelerate, but Morgan continued his assault, forming a 28-run partnership with Ambrose before falling to Steve O’Keefe after a blistering 32-ball 64.
Despite his departure, England maintained pressure, with Ambrose delivering elegant strokeplay. He found a capable partner in Darren Maddy (29 off 19), who provided a brisk cameo. Their 71-run partnership for the third wicket kept England in control.
After Maddy’s exit, Tim Bresnan (18 not out off 8) joined Ambrose in the final overs to ensure a strong finish. Ambrose remained unbeaten on 69 off 44 balls, while Bresnan’s cameo propelled England Masters past the 200-run threshold, setting a formidable challenge for the Australians.
The India Masters, captained by Sachin Tendulkar, who finished second in the standings with eight points from five matches, will face Australia Masters in the first semifinal on Thursday. Meanwhile, Kumar Sangakkara’s Sri Lanka will take on West Indies Masters in the second semifinal on Friday, vying for a spot in Sunday’s title showdown.
Brief scores:
England Masters 209/3 (Tim Ambrose 69 not out, Eoin Morgan 64, Darren Maddy 29) lost to Australia Masters 210/7 (Nathan Reardon 83, Daniel Christian 61, Peter Nevill 28; Tim Bresnan 5/45) by 3 wickets.
