West Indies v Australia - third T20 scorecard

The latest scorecard from the third Twenty20 International between West Indies and Australia in St Kitts paints a vivid picture of a compelling contest, one that ebbed and flowed with the characteristic unpredictability of T20 cricket. Played under the Caribbean sun at Warner Park, this pivotal match saw both sides vying for crucial momentum in the series, and the numbers etched onto the digital board tell a story of explosive hitting, strategic bowling, and a chase that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last over.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, the West Indies innings began with characteristic Caribbean flair, as openers Kyle Mayers and Brandon King provided a brisk start, racing to 45 inside the powerplay. However, Australia’s disciplined attack, led by the pace of Josh Hazlewood and the spin of Adam Zampa, soon applied the brakes. A crucial double strike in the seventh over, including the dismissal of the dangerous Nicholas Pooran, saw the home side stutter. Yet, captain Rovman Powell, alongside a resilient Sherfane Rutherford, staged a vital recovery, adding 68 runs for the fifth wicket. Powell's aggressive 58 off just 32 balls, laced with four towering sixes, propelled the West Indies to a competitive total of 172 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs, a score that felt defendable on a pitch offering some assistance to the spinners.

Australia’s chase began with a measured approach, David Warner and Travis Head laying a solid foundation with a 50-run opening stand. However, the introduction of West Indies' spinners, Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, brought about a period of tight bowling and three quick wickets, including the prized scalp of Mitchell Marsh. At 95 for 4 in the 13th over, the match hung finely balanced. It was then that Tim David, demonstrating his prowess as a finisher, combined with Matthew Wade to launch a counter-attack. David's blistering 47 not out from 23 deliveries, featuring calculated risks and powerful strikes, systematically dismantled the West Indies’ death bowling plans. His innings, a perfect example of modern T20 batting, ensured Australia remained ahead of the required run rate.

The tension peaked in the final three overs, with Australia needing 28 runs. Alzarri Joseph’s pace and Andre Russell’s all-round abilities kept the home crowd hopeful, but David’s composure under pressure, coupled with crucial boundaries off the penultimate over, ultimately sealed the victory for Australia with four balls to spare. The final scorecard reflected Australia reaching 173 for 6, securing a hard-fought four-wicket win. This result not only gives Australia a significant advantage heading into the next fixture but also highlights the depth in their batting lineup, particularly their ability to navigate tricky run chases. For the West Indies, it will be a case of fine-tuning their bowling at the death and ensuring their middle-order capitalises on promising starts.