West Indies vs. Australia has produced some thrillers and some one-sided contests. Today’s encounter, though, was more than a thriller. Some question marks were raised at the end as Russell denied many singles, and needing 11 of the last over, Starc bowled the first four dot balls. Eventually, Australia won the match by four runs, and the series is now 3-1 in favor of the West Indies.
West Indian side made some changes, and Oshane Thomas was finally given a chance. He proved his selection right initially by getting rid of Wade in his first over. He thought he gave away too many in his next, and that was his last t over the day. After losing Wade early, Finch and Marsh took the counterattack. They had a 114 run stand before Australia went on another dramatic collapse.
Mitchell Marsh, from one end, kept them sending over the fence before finally perishing on a well-made 75. Dan Christian gave the inning finishing touches with a 14 ball 22 not out. Australia scored 189 and even though West Indies has many big hitters on their side, the score was always challenging.
West Indies had the best of starts as Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons made the most of powerplay, and West Indies were 72-1 from their powerplay. Chris Gayle, who was their hero the last night, struggled to get his inning going and got out cheaply on 1. Andre Fletcher, too struggled and also took the required rate close to 12 before he perished.
Nicholas Pooran started slow, but he was undone by a slower ball from Mitchell Marsh when he was about to come on his own. Simmons kept their hopes alive before he was also undone by Mitchell Marsh on 72. With Dre Russ and Fabien Allen at the crease and West Indies required 13 in an over, it wasn’t an impossible task.
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They decided to take the game deep, and just when it looked impossible for the home team, Fabien Allen and Dre Russ took 25 on the 19th over, and it was 11 required off the final over. Mitchell Starc, the veteran, was handed the ball to stop Russell, and he obliged with firey Yorkers, and Dre Russ has no answer to them.
He bowled the first four dots, and West Indies hopes were done after he miscued the 5th ball, and they scampered back for a double. Russell got a 6 of the final ball, but that wouldn’t have accounted for the final result. Australia has finally opened its account. This was an important win as Australia lost the first three matches and would have been under immense pressure if they lost this one. The final match of the series will be played on the 17th and one can expect that to be a thriller again.
