Aus vs. WI T20I Series: Finch & Wade Powered Australia to Take a 1-0 Lead in the Series Key Highlights

• Australia won the toss and invited West Indies to bat first
• West Indies scored 47 runs after the powerplay
• Kyle Mayers scored 39 runs off 36 balls, the highest from WI.
• West Indies scored 145 runs in 20 overs after losing 9 wickets
• After Australia sank to 58/5 in 8 overs, Finch and Wade were the ones to stabilize the innings after Warner and Marsh left early.
• Cariah on his debut performed well and their 69-run partnership put Australia within striking distance of the victory.
• Australia won the first match of two matches T20I series against West Indies by 3 w

The first match of two matches T20I series between Australia and West Indies was held on Wednesday, 5h October at the Carrara Oval in Queensland. After facing a 1-2 series defeat against India, Australia would look to get back to winning ways in a two-match T20I series against West Indies. 

Australia won the toss and invited the West Indies to bat first. Mayers and Charles took the crease and Starc opened the attack. Both the batters were in good form playing and scored 14 runs in the opening over as they got 2 extra balls in the name of wide. At the start of the second over, Hazlewood got his first wicket of Charles. Hazlewood has kept it simple, on a good length, on the top of the middle at 132kph. Charles heaved across the line and missed the ball entirely as it went under his bat to clean him up.

 Brandon King came into the crease and the duo of Mayers and Brandon successfully scored 47 runs during the powerplay. After the powerplay, West Indies lost another wicket of Brandon in 5.2 overs and it was again the balling talent of Hazlewood. In 9.1 overs Cummins took the most important wicket of Mayers. Mayers cleared out his front leg and just swung wildly, only to miss the line of the delivery entirely as it angles across him and pegs out off-stump. 

Mayers bowled out after scoring 39 runs in 36 balls. West Indies couldn’t withstand the spearing pace of Australia today and could only manage to score 145 at a loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. The host seemed confident while restraining the guest at this moderate score. Warner and Green were at the crease and Kyle Mayers opened the attack. Australia scored 51 runs after losing 2 wickets during the powerplay.

 After Australia sank to 58/5 in 8 overs, Finch and Wade were the ones to stabilize the innings after Warner and Marsh left early. Cariah on his debut was outstanding, and their 69-run partnership put Australia within striking distance of the victory. As Joseph and Odean Smith bowled the 18th and 19th tight overs, Finch and Cummins were knocked out. 

Cottrell, who had 11 to defend despite receiving a beating all over the field, got things going with a boundary before two lost receptions gave Australia a 2 from 2 equation. Starc completed the task with a ball left over. West Indies deserves praise for their valiant efforts in holding on to 145. But, it’s Australia that had the last laugh. Australia won the game by 3 wickets. Stay tuned with CBTF Speed News for the latest cricket updates, cricket news, and cricket Samachar!