Aus 1st T20I: Australia lose last 6 wickets for 19 runs

ऑस्ट्रेलिया पहला टी20 मैच: ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने 19 रन पर गंवाए आखिरी 6 विकेट wickets

Aus 1st T20I: Australia lose last 6 wickets for 19 runs

The West Indies took advantage of a sensational late batting collapse by Australia to beat the visitors by 18 runs in the first of five Twenty20 matches at St Lucia on Friday. Australia lose their last six wickets for just 19 runs.

HIGHLIGHTS

• West Indies beat Australia by 18 runs in the first T20I at St Lucia
• Aaron Finch-led Australia lose their last six wickets for just 18 runs
• Players on both teams took a knee just before the first delivery of the match

Asensational Australian batting collapse helped West Indies to register a remarkable 18-run victory over the hosts in the first of five Twenty20 matches at St Lucia on Friday.

West Indies scored 145 for 6 after being sent in to bat. The hosts rode on Andre Russell's 28-ball 51 that included three boundaries and five massive sixes after they were 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 hosts.

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 3/12 in his four overs.

Marsh took 2/26 in his four overs as the visitors restricted the West Indies, who were 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.

Australia was cruising to expected victory at 70 for 3 when it lost six wickets for 19 runs and was all out for 127 in 16 overs. Obed McCoy took 4/26 and Hayden Walsh added 3/23 for the West Indies.

Mitch Marsh top-scored with 51 runs and took two wickets and teammate Josh Hazlewood had 3/12. Opener Matthew Wade got Australia off to a strong start with 33 runs from 14 balls, but it was wasted after the late collapse.

Players on both teams took a knee just before fast bowler Mitchell Starc’s first delivery of the match.

West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard was a late injury scratch, handing the captaincy to Nicholas Pooran for the first time.

McCoy was named man of the match.

The second match is scheduled for Saturday at the same stadium in Gros Islet.

Brief Scores

West Indies: 145 for 6 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 51, Lendl Simmons 27, Shimron Hetmyer 20; Josh Hazelwood 3/12, Mitchell Marsh 2/26)

Australia: 127 all out in 16 overs Mitchell Marsh 51, Matthew Wade 33; Obed McCoy 4/26, Hayden Walsh 3/23)