West Indies defeated Australia by 18 runs in the first match of the five-match T20I series. In the back of the spectacular bowling by Obed McCoy and Hayden Walsh, the Caribbean team managed to secure 146 runs. Mitchell Marsh scored 51 for the Kangaroo team, but it wasn’t enough for the team to win. For West Indies, Andre Russell scored 51 off just 28 balls and batted by storm in the last over.
Chasing a target of 146, Australia were not good enough and captain Aaron Finch fell to Fabian Allen by just 4 runs. After that, Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Wade scored 38 for the second wicket. Andre Russell broke the partnership by sacking Wade. After this, Australian batsmen bowled completely in front of Obed McCoy and Hayden Walsh and the entire team was out after scoring just 127. Australia lost their last six wickets and added just 19 runs. West Indies’ Obed McCoy took four and Walsh three, while Fabian Allen took two.
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The West Indies, who had earlier lost the toss and opted to bat, started very badly and fell to Josh Hazelwood without opening the team’s Evin Lewis account. After this, Chris Gayle also returned to the pavilion with just 4 runs from the ball of Hazelwood. Lendl Simmons, who hit some good shots from one side, continued with a catch to Mitchell Marsh of Wade. In the absence of Pollard, the captain of the team, Nicholas Pooran, was once again disappointed with the bat and dismissed after only 17 runs. Russell batted heavily in the last over, playing a stormy innings of 51 off 28 balls with five sixes and three boundaries, leading the team to a respectable score. Josh Haaswood bowled amazingly, taking three big wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs.
