Colombo: Australia defeated West Indies by 17 runs (D/L method) in a high-scoring Group B encounter in the ICC T20 World Cup. For Australia, it was once again Shane Watson who made a vital contribution with both bat and ball to get his team over the line against the strong West Indians.
A lot of fireworks was expected from the match as it had some of the most powerful hitters of the modern times and the match sure did live up to all the expectations, it was pity that the rain gods interfered in what could have been a scintillating finish.
Darren Sammy, West Indies captain won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch that was perfect for stroke-making. In the first over, Mitchell Starc produced a beauty to get rid of Dwayne Smith, at the other end Chris Gayle batted cautiously and West Indies couldn't get much in the first three overs. Gayle launched the attack to Pat Cummins hitting him for a couple of fours and then a huge six over square-leg. At the other end, Johnson Charles got bowled and in-form Marlon Samuels came into bat.
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Australia: 100/1 in 9.1 overs (Watson 41*, Warner 28, Edwards 1-16) beat (D/L method) West Indies: 191/8 (Gayle 54, Samuels 50, Starc 3-35)
Match Facts:
Toss: West Indies won the toss chose to bat
West Indies:
First Powerplay: 53 runs, 2 wickets
Australia:
First Powerplay: 62 runs, 1 wicket
Man of the match: Shane Watson
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Gayle after getting his eyes set, launched the attack to the Australians hitting Glenn Maxwell for a couple of sixes, he also punished the veteran Brad Hogg. Watson who earlier dropped Gayle, came back strongly to get him out caught and bowled when he was beginning to look menacing.
After the fall of Gayle’s wicket, Samuels took control of the innings and improves his strike-rate drastically, he got able support from Dwayne Bravo and together they took the West Indies close to the 150 run-mark. All the West Indian late-order batsmen played attacking little innings, helping them post 191.
Australia needed a big start and that’s exactly what they got. David Warner started his innings well hitting a beautiful cover-drive of Fidel Edwards. It was the second over that got the Australian innings going, Warner first lofted a wide delivery from Ravi Rampaul over the third-man boundary and then hooked him for another six, Rampaul conceded 22 runs in his first over. In the third over, Edwards bowled a floating half-volley and umpire adjudged Warner caught-behind, batsman did not like the decision and showed his displeasure.
Michael Hussey then walked into bat and a single from his bat provided Watson an opportunity to face his first ball. Hussey always play according to the situation and he provided Watson an opportunity to settle by hitting Sammy for a six and Edwards for a boundary. Watson then took the charge and hit Sunil Narine for a six on a free-hit. Australian batsmen made sure that they were always ahead of the asking rate. Watson who was itching to unleash his big strokes, got an opportunity against Marlon Samuels and he hit him for 22 runs in an over. The over also saw Watson being dropped and the ball going over the boundary rope for a six.
Both, Watson and Hussey were well set before the rain started pouring down, umpires had to call off the day. Australia at that stage were leading by 17 runs according to D\L method.
By Indian Sports News Network
