West Indies after losing to the T20 series against the against visitors South Africa to 3-2. Now have gone on to play a T20 series against the formidable Australia on their turf again. South Africa just outperformed West Indies in that series. Along with South Africa, West Indies tough had a lot of positives to take from that series. O McCoy and Fabian Allen are two picks for West Indies going forward. West indies always seem to have an abundance of All-rounders on their side.
Australia won the toss in the first T20 of the series and decided to field first. West Indies got a shocking start to their innings as their in-form opener Evin Lewis was dismissed for a duck in the second over. It was Hazlewood who took the first wicket. Australia had a very good powerplay as they restricted West Indies to get just 24 and also losing 2 wickets in it.
There was a clear indication that the West Indies were struggling to score runs even in the middle overs of the innings. At one stage it was looking too bad for West Indies will they at least some respectable total onboard where their bowlers can defend. Just when West Indies desperately need to increase the tempo of the runs to be scored, they lost both set batsman Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran.
But there was still hope when Andre Russell and Fabian Allen at the crease. Both are very known for their power-hitting ability. It was Russell’s show today, who demolished the Australian bowling attack. He pulled West Indies out of chaos and put a respectable total of 146 for the bowlers to defend.
West Indies had to bowl well to defend this below-par total against the formidable batting line-up that Australia has. Australia tough lost their captain in their second over of the powerplay. But still, Australia scored a flurry of runs in the powerplay. Australia was looking very strong as they chase this target with a lot of overs to spare.
But West Indies toots 3 vital wickets in the powerplay. So, if there is a stoppage of run-flow and ca a couple of wickets fall, West Indies are very well in the game. McCoy taking the wicket of Josh Phillipe was the key moment in the game. Moises Henriques started in a flurry but managed to get only 16 runs.
West Indies were chipping away wickets. In the tragic e, Australia was bowled out by West Indies for 127. As West Indies win the first T20 match by 18 runs.
