After the dominant performance in the ODI series, which the hosts won by the margin of 3-0, Australia hosted West Indies in the first T20I of the three-match series. The series opener match between the two teams took place at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
Australia were asked to bat first and they were off the flying start with the bat. Veteran David Warner lit the stage on fire in his 100th T20I game and slammed a magnificent half-century in the top. He showed signs of vintage Warner and played breathtaking shots.
Along with him, Jos Inglis (39) played a vital hand at the top. The duo added 96 runs for the opening partnership and set the tone for the team. However, big guns in Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis couldn’t cash on the start provided by the openers.
Marsh managed 16 runs whereas Maxwell and Stoinis added 10 and 9 runs respectively. Australia was reduced to 159/5 as West Indies made a solid comeback after a staggering opening partnership between Warner and Inglis.
But in the end, Tim David (37*) and Matthew Wade (21) played vital cameos in the end. The duo stitched 50 runs together and made sure that Australia finished the innings on high. Based on the rollicking effort at the end, the hosts ended with a total of 213 runs on the board.
For West Indies, Andre Russell was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with the figures of 3/42. Alzarri Joesph also claimed two wickets whereas Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd also bagged one wicket each.
AUS vs WI Scorecard, 1st T20I Highlights: Australia crush West Indies by 11 runs to take 1-0 lead in series
In the chase, the West Indies were off the flying start. Openers Brandon King and Johnsom Charles played sensationally well at the top and put Australian bowlers under pressure. They added 89 runs for the opening partnership which put visitors in the dominating position.
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While Brandon King added 53 runs, Johnson Charles ended with the knock of 42 runs. They, however, lost wickets after the start. No other batters could get going after that Australia bowlers kept chipping in with wickets at regular intervals and brought their team back in the game.
Nichols Pooran (18 ) Rovman Powell (14) and Shai Hope (16) had starts but Australian bowlers made sure that they didn’t let them settle at all. It was expected that Andre Russell would take his team home but he fell early and West Indies were reduced to 163/8.
Jason Holder (33*) and Akeal Hossain (7*) tried to take the team home but the target was too much in the end. Australia won the game by the margin of 11 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Adam Zampa picked three wickets whereas Marcus Stoinis bagged two scalps. Apart from them, Glenn Maxwell and Sean Abbott also chipped in and picked one wicket each to help the team win the game.
Brief Scores
Australia: 213-7 (David Warner 70; Andre Russell 3/42)
West Indies: 202-8 (Brandon King 53; Adam Zampa 3/26)
