1st T20I, Gros Islet, July 10, 2021, 05:00 AM
West Indies
145/6(20.0ov)
Australia
127/10(16.0ov)
West Indies beat Australia by 18 runs
Right then. We have been treated to a roller-coaster of a game between these two giants and it is the hosts who take the 1-0 lead in the series. But not a lot of time to celebrate as the second game is less than 24 hours away and Australia will have a chance to level the series soon enough. The second T20I will be played on Sunday, 11th July 2021 at 1930 local (2330 GMT). Do join us for that. Until then, cheers and take care!
The skipper of West Indies, Nicholas Pooran says he is delighted to start his captaincy with a victory. He only expected the players to show energy, which they did. Also adds, he can't praise his bowlers enough, they were just brilliant tonight. Ends by saying his side is over the last series, as they look to change their path now.
Aaron Finch, the Australian skipper says that the bowlers did a fantastic job to restrict them to a lower score. Also says he is really disappointed as they were not able to chase the game down. Says Marsh and Wade put them in control of the game, but they were unable to end it with a victory. Ends by saying they will look to come back stronger in the next game.
OBED McCOY IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that it feels great and he has been working hard and looks at his execution very closely. Feels that the surface had some nice bounce and carry and he noticed that the spinners were getting some turn and so his slower balls would get something off the surface. Feels that they had the bowling to defend this and they defended this well.
Take a bow, West Indies! This has been a supreme bowling performance to defend such a total. It looked like they would not be able to put in a strong display, but they have proved that they have what it takes to bowl well in tough situations. Obed McCoy was the hero and the star as he ended up taking 4 to his name and completely rattled the visitors. Even Hayden Walsh took timely wickets and bowled smartly, to finish with 3 to his name. Fabian Allen got two as well, but overall, all of their bowlers were up to the task.
The Aussies started off poorly, as they lost Finch very early on. Wade then decided to charge and make full use of the Powerplay as he kept the runs coming but he too, could not last too long. After Philippe departed, the duo of Marsh and Henriques decided to swing and scored a few boundaries quickly, putting the pressure back on the hosts. But once Moises fell, the train slightly derailed. Marsh got to his fifty, but he could not last longer and take his side home and from a position of strength at 89/3, they slumped and bowed out for 127.
Wow, wow, wow! What a start we have to this series! It looked like Australia would start their Caribbean tour with a win to their name, but the hosts have put in a supreme bowling display to defend a below-par total, to take a 1-0 lead in this 5-game T20I series.
In over# 1
0W
1
0W
0
0
0
Obed McCoy 26/4(4)
15.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Obed McCoy, TAKE A BOW! What a spell he has had with the ball today. He gets his fourth and the final wicket of the game. Serves it a touch short, outside off. Josh Hazlewood looks to poke at it. The ball though takes the outside edge and flies to the left of Nicholas Pooran, who collects the ball with ease and starts the celebrations for the West Indies side. They take an important 1-0 lead in the series. WEST INDIES WIN BY 18 RUNS!
15.5
1
A length ball, on the pads. Zampa nudges it to square leg for a single.
15.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! What a game we are having. A great start to the series. West Indies are running riot at the moment. Obed McCoy gets his third of the day. He has been the game-changer for the Men in Maroon. Serves a slower ball again. On a length, on off. Starc looks to get under it and decides to go big. The ball though does not get the distance that was needed on it, as it goes towards deep mid-wicket. Fabian Allen coves a lot of ground to his left, as he is coming in from the mid-wicket region. He takes a superb running catch. The West Indies only need one more wicket to end things for the Aussies!
15.3
.
On a length, outside off, moving away. Starc swings his blade to push it out but misses. The bounce takes the ball over the blade.
15.2
.
Looks like Obed McCoy has mastered the slower delivery. A slower one again. Full and on off. Mitchell Starc was looking to go big but the pace gets him yet again, as he defends it out.
15.1
.
Slower delivery yet again. Full and outside off. Mitchell Starc looks to chase it but misses.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0W
0
1wd
1
Hayden Walsh 23/3(4)
14.6
.
Tossed up, on off. Zampa defends it solidly. 20 needed in 30 balls!
14.5
1
Looped up on off, Starc plays the square cut and gets a single.
14.4
.
On off, Starc works it to the leg side.
14.3
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Maybe, just maybe we are witnessing a tilt here. The Australians had a firm grip on the match, but now it looks like they are in trouble. Hayden Walsh gets his third wicket. Loopy ball, on off. Dan Christian uses his feet and lifts it towards the long on region. Loud shouts for the catch and Dwayne Bravo comes chasing in and takes a sharp catch in the deep.
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