Before scoring 20 runs, West Indies lost three wickets, bidding farewell to two more before a hundred. André Russell and Sherfane Rutherford tightened the West Indies’ response to the opponents. Their fiery fifty and record-breaking partnership left West Indies without two wickets. David Warner shone as the light for Australia with quick runs. Later, even Team David struggled to make significant progress in their tumultuous innings.
On Tuesday (February 13th), in the third and final T20, the Caribbean clinched victory by 37 runs. They piled up a total of 220 runs and restricted the opposition to 183 runs. Winning the first two matches ensured Australia’s victory in the T20 series.
With Russell and Radford’s expertise, West Indies set the highest total of 220 runs against Australia in T20 cricket. Their partnership of 220 runs surpassed the previous best of 207 runs in this series. Russell and Radford’s onslaught added 67 runs off 139 balls, setting an international T20 record for the sixth wicket. They surpassed Papua New Guinea’s Tony Ura and Norman Vanua, who scored 115 runs against Singapore in 2022, with seven sixes and four fours in just 29 balls, playing the best innings of the match. Radford scored 67 runs with five sixes and four fours off 40 balls.
Warner’s quick start put Australia on track with 81 runs off 49 balls. He became the second-highest run-scorer for Australia in T20 internationals with 3,000 runs (3,067) as an opening batsman. Then, David’s 41 runs off 19 balls further propelled Australia towards the target.
Australia had a good start to the day. With 17 runs and 3 wickets, they won the toss and sent West Indies to bat. Both dismissals were of the seasoned pacer, Javier Bartlett. Despite the opposition’s onslaught, Roston Chase kept the wheel of the run machine turning for the beaten team. He took two wickets for 19 runs in four overs in the off-spin.
Chase and the devastating five-wicket hauler Rovman Powell started the journey after the departure of Michal Marsh. Their partnership added 68 runs for the opening wicket. However, Hardie couldn’t support Warner on the other end.
Warner and English led the team, scoring 25 runs in one over. Warner, who scored a fifty in one over in the previous match, couldn’t repeat the feat, despite hitting 12 runs off 4 balls. Then, despite David’s attempt, Australia couldn’t reach the target. His destructive innings only reduced the margin of defeat.
Scores:
West Indies: 220/6 in 20 overs (Charles 4, Meyers 11, Pooran 1, Chase 37, Powell 21, Radford 67*, Russell 71, Shepherd 2*; Bartlett 4-0-37-2, Behrendorff 4-0-31-1, Johnson 4-0-49-1, Hardie 4-0-36-1, Jumper 4-0-65-1)
Australia: 183/5 in 20 overs (Marsh 17, Warner 81, Hardie 16, English 1, Maxwell 12, David 41*, Wade 7*; Joseph 4-0-38-0, Holder 4-0-49-0, Russell 1-0-11-0, Shepherd 4-0-31-2, Akil 3-0-33-1, Chase 4-0-19-2)
Result: West Indies won by 37 runs
Man of the Match: Andre Russell
Series: Australia won the 3-match series 2-1
Man of the Series: David Warner.
