Coulter-Nile saves Aussies, sets World Cup record

Nathan Coulter-Nile has pulled off one of the World Cup's great lower-order rearguards, setting a new Australian record in their clash with West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Having never scored more than 64 in any form of cricket and with only five half-centuries to his name in first-class and List A cricket combined, Coulter-Nile unleashed a devastating knock to fire Australia to 288.

The fast-bowling allrounder finished on 92 off 60 balls, belting four sixes and eight fours in a dazzling counter-attacking innings.

It was the highest ever score by an Australian batting at No.8 or lower in an ODI and he finished just four runs short of breaking the overall record set by Chris Woakes, who hit an unbeaten 95 against Sri Lanka in 2016.

Trevor Laughlin’s 74 was the previous highest score by an Australian batting at eight or below, a benchmark that had stood since December 1979.

It was only the second time in World Cup history that a No.8 has scored more than 70.

Coulter-Nile’s 102-run partnership with Steve Smith saved Australia’s blushes after they’d earlier slumped to 4-38. They were 6-147 in the 31st over when he joined Smith in the middle.

The Western Australian was nearly out off his second ball, but found his rhythm as he and Smith put on 102 in just 89 deliveries as the Windies bombarded their opponents with a volley of bouncers.

Coulter-Nile had jokingly declared on Saturday the hook shot to be his only stroke when asked if he was anticipating the Windies bowling short at the Australian tail.

And while he unveiled a full range of shots off both the front and back foot that belied his billing as a tailender, he did play the short ball with the ease of someone who'd grown up on the bouncy pitches of Perth.

Coulter-Nile brought up Australia's 200 with an exquisite leg-side flick for six off Andre Russell and needed just 41 balls to reach his fifty.

His union with Smith was ended when Sheldon Cottrell removed the Australian No.4 with an extraordinary boundary-line catch, but Coulter-Nile was undeterred.

He hit 27 off his next 13 balls before finally holing out to long-off off Carlos Brathwaite.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE