David Warner and Adam Zampa were the stars of the show as Australia held on to overcome a late flourish from West Indies to win the first T20I by 11 runs in Hobart on Friday, February 9.
Warner starred with the bat on his return to the side (Courtesy: getty)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2024 17:27 IST
David Warner marked his 100th appearance in the T20I format for Australia with a fine knock as Australia secured a 11-run win over the West Indies on Friday, February 9 in the first match of the series.
Warner, who was making his comeback into the T20I team, hit 12 boundaries and a six as he roared back into form after his laklustre run in the ILT20 for the Delhi Capitals.
Australia welcomed back the likes of Adam Zampa and Maxwell into their lineup as well, with the leg-spinner's magical spell ensuring that the visitors couldn't capitalise on the momentum they created in their chase of 214 runs for victory in a batting paradise in Hobart.
Warner's brilliance powers Australia to 213
West Indies had won the toss on the day and opted to field first. The move from Rovman Powell quickly seemed like a mistake as Warner got off to the perfect start, with a boundary off the third ball he faced. The next over would see the opener take apart Jason Holder for four boundaries.
This was a special day for Warner as he joined the likes of Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor to become the third cricketer to play 100+ international matches in all formats of the game.
Warner would get a second life when his shot almost stuck in Akeal Hosein's right hand. The opener would race to 48 off 20 balls, before he got another lifeline as Nicholas Pooran put down a chance of Romario Shepherd.
Warner got to his fifty in just 22 balls as Josh Inglis provided good support from the other end with Australia getting to 93 in just 8 overs. Holder would dismiss Inglis to put the brakes on the scoring rate.
Skipper Mitchell Marsh wasn't at his best as he struggled to get going, despite a monster six off Andre Russell's bowling. Marsh would ultimately fell to Alzarri Joseph as West Indies were looking for a way back into the game.
Warner would score 70 off 36 balls, before falling to Joseph in the same over as the visitors found the opening and also added Marcus Stoinis soon after.
With Glenn Maxwell also falling soon after, the onus fell on Tim David and Matthew Wade to provide a perfect finish to the innings. David would take apart the Windies bowling attack with a 17-ball 37 and got support from Wade, who scored 21.
Australia would end up scoring 213 for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs.
Zampa's spin web traps West Indies batters in chase
The West Indies chase would get off to the perfect start with Brandon King and Johnson Charles taking the attack to the Australian bowlers. King and Charles would score 89 for the first wicket in just 8.3 overs before Adam Zampa came in to change the course of the match.
Zampa got the wicket of Charles to break the partnership and halt the momentum of the visitors. King would get a well-deserved fifty before perishing with the score at 100. Rovman Powell provided some brief entertainment with his 5-ball 14 before he fell to Maxwell with the score at 115 for three in 12 overs.
Pooran struggled to find his usual rhythm as Shai Hope's wicket would put West Indies in trouble. Zampa would dismiss the dangerous Russell and Pooran in the same over to end with figures of 3 for 26 in his four overs.
Sherfane Rutherford and Shepherd couldn't make much of an impact with the bat as Australia seemed to have sealed the game with just two wickets remaining.
However, Holder decided to make things interesting as he would play a few lusty blows. 27 was need in the final over and The West Indies all-rounder started off with a six and a boundary off Abbott to increase the tension inside the ground.
Abbott was able to hold his nerve in the final moments and ensured that Australia got over the line in the end by 11 runs. The second match of the series will be played on Sunday, February 11.
Published On:
Feb 9, 2024
English (US) ·