ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Nathan Coulter-Nile hits record score by No.8 batsman in tournament history

Australia were left reeling at 38/4 in the seventh over after West Indies had won the toss and opted to bat in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 clash in Trent Bridge on Thursday. Steve Smith held the innings together and was given good support from Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey. The partnership with Carey, worth 109 runs, revived Australia but once the wicketkeeper fell for 45, Australia were still miles away from posting a competitive total against the Windies. However, Nathan Coulter-Nile, coming in at No.8, had other ideas and he proceeded to change the course of the game and put West Indies on the backfoot.

After starting slowly, Coulter-Nile opened up with two boundaries off Oshane Thomas to signal his intentions. Smith calmly notched up his 20th fifty and he was happy to give the strike more frequently to Coulter-Nile. The right-hander reposed the faith by hammering Andre Russell for a couple of boundaries. The momentum was with Australia as Coulter-Nile smashed a big six off Russell and the bowler walked away after bowling his eighth over due to a hamstring injury, presenting West Indies with some problems.

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Coulter-Nile neared his fifty with a four off Carlos Brathwaite and he notched up his maiden fifty off the same bowler. Having reached his landmark, the Australia No.8 decided to punish West Indies further by launching Brathwaite straight down the ground for his second six. With Smith departing for 73 thanks to a magnificent catch from Sheldon Cottrell, the onus was on Coulter-Nile and he did not disappoint. He clubbed offspinner Ashley Nurse for a boundary and was dropped by Shimron Hetmyer at midwicket

Having received a life, Coulter-Nile proceeded to punish Sheldon Cottrell for two sixes and he looked good to reach a record century but in the quest for quick runs, Coulter-Nile miscued a lofted shot off Carlos Brathwaite to be caught at long off. His knock of 92 broke plenty of records in the process.

Coulter-Nile's 92 is the highest by a No.8 in the history of World Cups, going past Zimbabwe's Heath Streak's 72 against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup match in Bloemfontein. Coulter-Nile's effort was the highest by an Australian, going past Andy Bichel's 64 against England in the 2003 match in Port Elizabeth. The highest score hit by a No.8 in ODIs is Chris Woakes' unbeaten 95 which he achieved in Trent Bridge during the game against Sri Lanka in 2016. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Nathan Coulte-Nile's 92 is the highest by a No.8 in World Cups.
• Australia won against Afghanistan in their opening game.
• West Indies defeated Pakistan in Trent Bridge.