West Indies lost the first T20I by eleven runs against Australia last night at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart in a match that saw over 400 runs scored.
The hosts were sent into bat and amassed 213-7 in their 20 overs, equalling the record T20I score in Hobart set back in 2014 against arch rivals England. West Indies started brightly in their chase but fell to 202-8 after a collapse in the middle overs.
Eventual player of the match David Warner smashed a half century in this 100th T20I, becoming just the third player after Ross Taylor and Virat Kohli to make 100 appearances in each format. With the summer’s World Cup set to be his last, Warner’s preparation looked to be in good order as he sent the bowling to all parts before being dismissed by Alzarri Joseph on 70.
At the other end Josh Inglis looked to push his case to be Warner’s partner with a knock of 39 from 25 deliveries with five boundaries and one six. The host’s erratic middle order were repeatedly deceived by slower deliveries but not before depositing enough of them into the first and second tiers. Tim David’s fine cameo of 37 from 17 balls fired Australia to a record equalling score. Andre Russell was the pick of the West Indian bowlers picking up 3-42 in his four overs.
Up against an experimental Australian attack, Brandon King and Johnson Charles raced to 72 without loss at the end of the powerplay. Even the normally economical Josh Hazlewood was thrashed to all parts, with one delivery being sent sailing over midwicket and into the streets of Hobart by the belligerent Charles. The ever reliable Adam Zampa and his leg breaks provided the much needed breakthrough for stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh as Charles (42) held out to Warner at deep point. King followed shortly afterwards for 53 and West Indies were into a state of inertia.
Wicketkeeper batsman Nicholas Pooran and captain Rovman Powell looked to get West Indies going again but they fell to the spin bowling of Zampa and Maxwell for 18 and 14, respectively. At 115-3 after 12 overs, West Indies needed 99 from 48 balls with the required run rate and world renowned power hitters in the shed. Four overs later the game was all but done as Stoinis got Hope (16) with the short ball and Zampa struck twice in one over to dismiss a crawling Pooran (17) and Andre Russell (1).
Jason Holder’s cameo of 34 runs reminded everyone of his ball striking ability late on but it was too little too late despite his three boundaries and two maximums. Needing 27 runs off the final over, Holder and Hosein could only get 15 off Sean Abott’s death bowling. The series heads to the Adelaide Oval for the second T20I on Sunday February 11th.
Summarised Scores
Australia 213-7 in 20 overs (David Warner 70, Josh Inglis 39; Andre Russell 3-42, Alzarri Joseph 2-46) West Indies 202-8 in 20 overs (Brandon King 53, Johnson Charles 42; Adam Zampa 3-26, Marcus Stoinis 2-20)
Australia won by eleven runs
The post West Indies lose first T20I against Aussies appeared first on nationnews.com.