Warner Flourishes At the Top
The ball was moving around a bit, and West Indies bowlers started pretty well. Cameron Green tried to go big but skied a length ball to depart for just 1 in the second over. The skipper Aaron Finch joined forces with David Warner. The latter started to get into his groove by smashing a couple of delightful boundaries in the next over.
The Aussie left-hander looked in complete control as he raced off to 37* off 22 at the end of the powerplay. Warner’s measured attack took his team to 45 for 1 at the end of 6 overs.
Erratic lines from the West Indies bowlers allowed Australia to score freely after the powerplay. David Warner brought up his half-century of just 30 balls in the 8th over. WI star from the last game – Yannic Cariah – was brought into the attack. He was expected to break the partnership, but his first over went for 17.
A Mini-Collapse For Australia as Windies Fought Back
The hosts were placed comfortably at 88 for 1 after 10 overs. But their captain struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking. His misery ended as he eventually lost his wicket after a 19 balls stay for just 15 runs. In the next over, Odean Smith ended David Warner’s marathon knock of 75(41).
Two quick wickets pushed the Aussies on the back foot and accounted for Maxwell’s run out. From 95 for 1, they found themselves at 100 for 4 in a span of 12 balls.
Tim David Blitz Swung the Game Back to the Visitors
Steve Smith and Tim David started to bat smartly to put their side out of trouble. The duo added 56 runs together as the latter blasted a 42-run innings off just 21 balls. His glittery knock included four fours and three gigantic sixes.
However, Joseph bowled incredibly well at the death as WI conceded just 21 runs off the last 18 deliveries. He returned with the imposing figures of 21 for 3 in his quota of 4 overs, and Australia managed to get to 178 for 7 in 20 overs.
No Momentum For West Indies In the First Half of the Chase
Mitchell Starc took a blinder off his own bowling in the first over to send Mayers packing. Australia’s poor series in the field continued as Zampa dropped a dolly at the third-man position. Johnson Charles smashed a couple of boundaries in the next over to take advantage of the missed opportunity.
The fifth over of the innings went for 16 runs, and the scorecard read 45 for 1 after the powerplay – the same as it was for Australia. But, the struggle to up the ante saw Brandon King getting stumped while trying to go after Zampa in the eighth over. Nicholas Pooran came to the crease and returned in no time to make things tougher for his side. At the halfway stage, the Windies were reeling at 70 for 3, requiring 109 off the last 10.
Starc Fires Australia to Clean Sweep
West Indies continued to tumble as Johnson Charles went back to the hut after scoring just 29 off 30 balls. Jason Holder and Rouvman Powell tried to revive the chase, but the former mistimed a pull to give Starc his third wicket.
After 15 overs, WI were in a spot to bother at 5 for 104. With 75 needed off 30 balls, they needed something special to get through to the finishing line. However, the Aussie quicks proved too good for them as they slumped to 147 for 8 in the 20 overs.
Australia managed to win by 31 runs and secured a 2–0 series win. Mitchell Starc bagged a 4–fer and went for just 20 runs in 4 overs.
What’s Coming Up Next for Both the Sides?
Australia will be up against England in the first T20I within less than 48 hours time. West Indies will feature in their first World Cup warm-up fixture against UAE on the 10th of October.
