Australia vs. West Indies 1st T20I Live Score: Australia beat West Indies by 11 runs.

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Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, thereby setting up a challenging target for the West Indies. The Australian innings began positively, with their top-order batsmen displaying commendable skills against the West Indian bowling attack. Key contributions from the likes of Aaron Finch, David Warner, and Glenn Maxwell helped Australia post a formidable total on the scoreboard.

Warner is almost certain to be a part of the T20 World Cup, and it will be his last international cricket game. However, the competition is tough to find his opening partner, and Josh Inglis is getting the first opportunity as he impressed at the top of the order during the ODI series.

During his 16th T20I match, Inglis opened for the first time. In his previous game, he had made a century while batting at No.3 in India. As Matthew Wade took the gloves, Inglis played as a specialist batter and initially watched from the sidelines as Warner dominated the new ball.

Although Inglis struggled to find his timing, he still showed his 360-degree range and scored 39 runs off 25 balls. He began his innings by giving himself some space and smashed left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein through the off-side in his favorite stroke.

Inglis's best shot was a clever reverse lap scoop off Andre Russell, displaying his cavalier batting before hitting a full-blooded pull shot, reminding everyone that he honed his game on bouncy WACA pitches. Unfortunately, Inglis fell to a slower delivery from Jason Holder, who had been targeted by a rampaging Warner earlier in the match.

Warner enjoyed the faster surface and raced to his half-century off 22 balls. However, he slowed down after Inglis's wicket and eventually fell to a slower delivery from Alzarri Joseph in the 13th over.

Sean Abbott missed his mark with the yorker and served a low full toss instead. Jason Holder stayed deep in the crease and used his long levers to whack it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. The match is not over just yet.

The ball has been smashed away! It was banged in short over off and at a comfortable height, and Jason Holder stood tall to pull it firmly in front of square, and the ball rocketed into the fence.

Matthew Wade, the vice-captain of Australia, is up for a chat because Mitchell Marsh is not yet allowed to be in contact, given his recent recovery from COVID-19. Wade says that Marsh is fine and is just waiting for a couple of more negative tests. The boys have been playing franchise cricket and felt that 200 was par on this track. Wade adds that the luxury they have with seven batters is nice to see, and the way Tim David played was pleasing. Regarding Adam Zampa, he says that the way he bowled, the skipper must be happy.

Rovman Powell, the skipper for West Indies, is up for a chat. He says that they struggled to get partnerships in the middle, but it was still a good game of cricket. They just got back to their rhythm a little bit more. Powell mentions that whenever they raised their bat, they found a fielder. He thinks the guys did well. He also mentions that it is a little bit too cold for them, but the crowd is good.

West Indies have certainly exceeded expectations on their tour to Australia. Although nobody gave them a chance to even compete in the two-match Test series, they became the first-ever side to beat Australia in day-night Tests. Australia might have won the ODI series 3-0, but it does not reflect how well West Indies fought. In fact, at one stage, they were in a good position in the first two matches and were blown away in the series' final game.

Earlier, Warner and fellow opener Josh Inglis got Australia’s innings off to a blistering start after West Indies captain Rovman Powell won the toss and chose to field first.

The duo, who had never opened together before in T20Is, clobbered 77 runs during the Powerplay, a new Australian record in home matches before Holder broke the 93-run partnership in the eighth over when Inglis slapped a slower ball towards mid-off for 39.

The tourists shot themselves in the foot with some poor fielding, spilling three chances and gifting away runs with sloppy fumbles. Warner was dropped by West Indies wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran on 32, later dismissed in the 13th over by quick Alzarri Joseph after gloving a bouncer behind.

Warner’s departure sparked a brief collapse of 4-30, during which Australian captain Mitchell Marsh and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis blasted sixes out of the venue before falling cheaply.

However, David and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade provide some late fireworks, combining for a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket to steer the Australians beyond 200. West Indies veteran Andre Russell snared two wickets in the final over, including the dismissal of Wade for 21, as Australia posted 7-213, the equal-highest T20I score at the venue.

West Indies openers Brandon King and Johnson Charles feasted on Australia’s wayward bowlers during the Powerplay, forming an 89-run partnership before Zampa broke the stand in the ninth over, with Charles picking out Warner on the boundary rope for 42. King brought up his half-century in 36 deliveries but fell victim to Stoinis on the next delivery, holing out towards Sean Abbott at deep mid-wicket for 53.

Australia used the pitch to their advantage and successfully defended the target in an exciting run chase. They were struggling in the first 8 overs but managed to bounce back. During the middle phases of the match, they relied on slower deliveries and spinners to do the job for them. Although they took a lot of hits in the powerplay, Adam Zampa gave them their first breakthrough by dismissing Brandon King. Marcus Stoinis soon followed by sending Powell back to the dugout. Later, Glenn Maxwell got his revenge by dismissing Powell after he took him to the cleaners. Stoinis also contributed by sending Hope back just when he started freeing his arms. Zampa showcased his brilliance once again with the wicket of Russell and Pooran.

Jason Behrendorff bowled a full delivery on middle and leg and Jason Holder hit it for a six over deep mid-wicket, keeping West Indies in the contest. They needed 40 runs off 12 balls at that point. However, Romario Shepherd was caught out soon after by Mitchell Marsh, as he tried to loft the ball on the full and toe-ended it. 

Jason Behrendorff stayed around the wicket and bowled a full delivery around off-stump, which Shepherd failed to hit properly. The ball was chipped over cover where Marsh caught it and almost spilled it, but managed to hold on to it in the end. This wicket added to West Indies' woes and they were going down in a hurry.

Adam Zampa to Andre Russell, OUT! TIMBER! Adam Zampa goes full and straight at 98 clicks and gets it right in the blockhole. Andre Russell looks to put pressure back on the bowler by looking for the slog-sweep across the line but is beaten all ends up and the ball skids through to castle into the stumps. Dre Russ departs the second ball and Zampa picks up a huge wicket for his side.

Marcus Stoinis to Shai Hope, FOUR! DROPPED! Marcus Stoinis serves it short and over off. Shai Hope slaps it over mid and the fielder is there near the cow corner area but he wasn't standing near the ropes. The bill flies over his hands and crosses the fence for four runs.

Brandon King! Marcus Stoinis gives away a juicy full toss on the pads. Brandon King pulls it and gets some bat on it. The ball races past the short fine leg and runs away to the fence for four runs. An impressive innings from King.

Jason Behrendorff to Johnson Charles, FOUR! A FANTASTIC END TO THE OVER! Jason Behrendorff drops it short and around off. Johnson Charles muscles it over mid-wicket. The ball is hit with supreme power and it races away to the fence for four more runs to end the over. 16 runs off the first over itself. We are in for some exciting action.

 

Andre Russell to Sean Abbott, OUT! CASTLED! TWO IN TWO FOR THE BIG MAN! Nails the yorker and keeps it in the middle. Sean Abbott misses the flick shot and the ball crashes into the stumps lighting them up. Sean Abbott departs for a golden duck but now Andre Russell is on a hat-trick. Big ball and the last ball of the innings. Tim David will be left stranded on the other end.

 

West Indies: Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran(w), Rovman Powell(c), Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Oshane Thomas, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford.

 

Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh(c), Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Jason Behrendorff, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott, Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Wade.