Post by : Mumtaaz
Qadiri
Photo: AP
Australia started their T20 series against West Indies with a close win. They won by three wickets in the first match played at Sabina Park, Jamaica. The game was exciting till the last over. Australia’s young players played a big role in this win. Mitchell Owen had a dream debut with both bat and ball, while Cameron Green hit a fast half-century.
Mitchell Owen Shines on T20I Debut
Mitchell Owen made his first T20 International (T20I) appearance in this match. He played an excellent all-round game. First, he took a key wicket with the ball. Then, he scored a brilliant 50 runs off just 27 balls. Owen became the third Australian after Ricky Ponting and David Warner to hit a half-century on T20I debut. His big-hitting, with six sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Green’s Half-Century Boosts Australia
Cameron Green also played a great innings. He scored 51 runs off 26 balls. Green hit five sixes and two boundaries. He played smart cricket, starting carefully and then attacking later. Green and Owen built a partnership of 80 runs in just 40 balls. This partnership helped Australia chase the big target of 190 runs after they were struggling at 78 for 4.
West Indies Post Big Total with Help of Hope and Chase
West Indies batted first and scored 189 for 8 in their 20 overs. Roston Chase and Shai Hope were the main scorers. Chase made 60 runs off 32 balls while Hope scored 55 runs from 39 balls. They gave West Indies a strong position, and at one point, it looked like they would score over 200 runs. Shimron Hetmyer also played a quick innings of 38 from 19 balls.
Dwarshuis and Ellis Stop West Indies at the End
Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis bowled brilliantly at the end of the West Indies innings. They stopped the run flow and took key wickets. Dwarshuis took four wickets for 36 runs, including three in one over. Ellis also bowled tight overs with clever slower balls and yorkers. West Indies lost six wickets for just 30 runs in the last five overs. This stopped them from getting a massive total.
Chase and Hope Build a Strong Start for West Indies
In the absence of injured opener Evin Lewis, West Indies’ top order did well. Brandon King started with some quick boundaries. But Cooper Connolly, Australia’s spinner, slowed them down by getting King out. Hope then started playing confidently, hitting Connolly for big shots. Chase took his time at the start but later attacked the Australian bowlers. He played some amazing shots, especially in the 10th over, hitting four boundaries. West Indies were 123 for 1 in the 13th over and looked set for a big score.
Owen’s First Wicket and West Indies’ Collapse
The game changed when Dwarshuis got Chase out. Then, Owen took his first T20I wicket by dismissing Hope. Though Owen gave away two sixes to Hetmyer, Ellis and Dwarshuis stopped West Indies in the last overs. Hetmyer looked dangerous but Ellis bowled brilliantly. In the last few balls, West Indies lost four wickets for seven runs. Dwarshuis took three wickets in one over with mistimed shots caught in the deep. Ellis finished the innings with good bowling and a stunning catch by Green on the boundary.
Australia’s Top Order Fails Again
Australia’s batting did not start well. Jake Fraser-McGurk, brought back into the team, failed again. He scored only 2 runs before getting out. Captain Mitchell Marsh hit three big sixes but played too many dot balls and got out early. Cameron Green started with a lucky six and then played aggressively. But after the powerplay, Australia lost Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell cheaply, making their position worse.
Green and Owen Lead Australia’s Comeback
When things looked bad for Australia at 78 for 4, Green and Owen stepped up. Both played fearless cricket. Owen started with a six off Andre Russell and hit another six later in the over. He then smashed Akeal Hosein for three sixes in one over. Green kept the scoreboard ticking with clever singles and twos. He later hit big shots off Jason Holder and Motie to reach his fifty in just 25 balls. Their partnership brought Australia closer to the target.
Owen Reaches Fifty but Falls Late
Owen continued his power hitting and reached his half-century with a huge six. He got to 50 in just 26 balls. However, he got out the very next ball trying to hit another six. Australia still needed 15 runs from 21 balls when Owen got out.
Lower Order Seals the Win for Australia
After Owen and Green got out, Cooper Connolly, Dwarshuis, and Sean Abbott took Australia home. They scored the remaining runs slowly but surely. West Indies helped with poor fielding. Substitute fielder Jewel Andrew dropped Abbott when Australia needed just seven more runs. Abbott also survived a close run-out chance. In the end, Australia won with seven balls left.
West Indies Miss Their Chance
West Indies had a good chance to win this match. Their batters gave them a good total, and their bowlers started well. But they could not finish strong with either bat or ball. They also dropped catches and missed easy chances in the field. Their poor finish in both innings cost them the match.
Australia’s Young Players Make the Difference
This match showed the strength of Australia’s young players. Owen and Green showed great maturity under pressure. Dwarshuis and Ellis proved their value in the death overs. Despite losing early wickets, Australia stayed calm and finished the game strongly. This win gives Australia a great start in the series.
A Team Effort Wins the Game for Australia
Australia’s win was a result of a team effort. Their bowlers stopped West Indies from scoring big. Their middle-order batters, especially Green and Owen, played fearless cricket. Though the top order failed, the lower order kept their cool. This close win will give Australia confidence for the next games. West Indies will need to improve both their batting finish and fielding if they want to bounce back in the series.
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