The match, taking place at Queens Park Oval, saw the West Indies amassing a formidable total of 257/4, a target that proved insurmountable for the Australian team. This victory comes as a significant boost for the West Indies team as they prepare for their T20 World Cup opener against Papua New Guinea.
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Nicholas Pooran emerged as the standout performer, contributing a dynamic 75 to the team’s total.His innings, characterized by eight sixes and five fours, came off just 25 balls, setting the tone for the West Indies’ aggressive batting stance.
Captain Rovman Powell also made a significant impact with a quickfire 52 from 25 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes. Contributions from Sherfane Rutherford, who remained unbeaten at 47 from 18 balls, and opener Johnson Charles, who added 40 from 31 balls, further bolstered the West Indies’ total, showcasing the depth of their batting lineup.
The Australian bowling attack struggled to contain the West Indies’ batters, with Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, and Ashton Agar each conceding over 50 runs in their four-over spells. Zampa, despite taking two wickets, gave away 62 runs, highlighting the challenges faced by the Australian bowlers against the West Indies’ onslaught.
In response, Australia mounted a commendable effort to chase down the target, finishing at 222/7. Josh Inglis led the charge with a 55 off 30 balls, supported by Nathan Ellis and Ashton Agar, who scored 39 and 28, respectively. Despite missing several key players, Australia’s batting lineup showed resilience, though the steep target ultimately proved too challenging.
For the West Indies, Gudakesh Motie and Alzarri Joseph each claimed two wickets, contributing to the team’s successful defense of their total. Their performances, alongside the explosive batting display, underscored the West Indies’ strengths in both facets of the game.
In another warm-up match, Namibia edged out Papua New Guinea by three runs (DLS method) in a rain-affected game. Papua New Guinea posted 109/7 in their 20 overs, with Namibia at 93/6 in the 17th over when the match was halted due to rain, demonstrating the competitive nature of the warm-up fixtures leading into the T20 World Cup.
(Inputs from ANI)
