Nathan reardon

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: Australia Masters geared up their preparations for Thursday’s first semifinal against India Masters with a nervy three-wicket victory against traditional rivals England Masters in the final Group stage match of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here on Wednesday.

The win ensured Australia Masters finished third on the IML points table, setting up their knockout clash with No. 2 placed India Masters.

With an eye on the semifinals, Australia Masters made a strategic tweak to their batting order while chasing a formidable 210, and the ploy worked well with the new opening pair of Shaun Marsh and Daniel Christian setting the platform with a 52-run stand. While Marsh departed after a brisk 12-ball 20, Christian made his intent clear as he toyed with the English bowling attack, slamming seven boundaries and four mammoth sixes in his aggressive 28-ball 61 to take the attack back to the opposition.