West Indies fights back to beat Australia in first T20

Andre Russell and Obed McCoy shine in West Indies' 18-run win against Australia in the first T20I of a five-match series.

Published : Jul 10, 2021 10:31 IST

Andre Russell struck a quickfire half-century. - GETTY IMAGES (FILE)
Andre Russell struck a quickfire half-century. - GETTY IMAGES (FILE)
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Andre Russell struck a quickfire half-century. - GETTY IMAGES (FILE)

West Indies fast bowler Obed McCoy took four wickets after Andre Russell's maiden half-century as the Twenty20 world champion produced a superb comeback to outclass Australia by 18 runs in the first game of their five-match series at St Lucia on Friday.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Chasing 146 for victory, Australia was still in control at 117 for 6 thanks to Mitchell Marsh's 51, before spinner Hayden Walsh (3 for 23) triggered a batting collapse and McCoy (4 for 26) wiped out the tail as it was dismissed for 127 in 16 overs.

"Any time you lose six wickets for 19 runs you're going to struggle to win a match," Australia skipper Aaron Finch said. "Very disappointing."

Asked to bat first, the West Indies rode on Russell's 28-ball 51 that included three boundaries and five massive sixes to post 145 for 6 after it was tottering at 66 for 4 from 12 overs.

Opener Lendl Simmons (27) and Shimron Hetmyer (20) were the only other notable contributors as the Australian attack, which included 38-year-old seamer Dan Christian playing in his first match for the national team since 2017, choked out the host.

 

The 38-year-old, among a number of players hoping to make the squad for this year's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, conceded 10 runs for no wicket in his two overs but it was fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who really turned the screws on the host.

After removing opener Evin Lewis for a duck, Hazlewood had the dangerous Chris Gayle caught by Ashton Agar for four before getting rid of Russell late in the innings to end up with figures of 3 for 12 in his four overs.

Marsh took 2 for 26 in his four overs as the visitor restricted the West Indies, which was without skipper Kieron Pollard due to a hamstring problem, to a below-par total on a good wicket at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

"First game as captain and I didn't expect this," said stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran. "We asked the guys for energy and that's what we got."

Both teams took a knee before the game began, with Australia saying it would continue to recognise and show its support to victims of racial injustice and discrimination in the past and present.

The second T20 will be held at the same venue on Saturday.

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