WARNER AND ZAMPA SHINE AS AUSTRALIA TRIUMPH IN A HIGH-SCORING SHOWDOWN
IN A NUTSHELL, DAVID WARNER SMASHED A BLISTERING 70 OFF 36 BALLS IN HIS 100TH T20I.
In his milestone 100th T20I, David Warner’s explosive 70 off 36 balls, combined with Adam Zampa’s stellar 3 for 26, propelled Australia to an 11-run victory over West Indies in a thrilling high-scoring clash at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval on Friday (December 9).
Despite chasing a challenging target of 214, the visitors were restricted to 202 for 8.
WARNER’S ONSLAUGHT
Put in to bat, Warner unleashed his attacking prowess from the outset.
He wasted no time in finding boundaries, starting with a crisp half volley through covers off Akeal Hosein’s bowling in the opening over.
Warner intensified his assault in the next over, where he punished Jason Holder with four consecutive boundaries.
Continuing his aggression, Warner took on Hosein once more in the following over, lofting him for a powerful six before dispatching another boundary through extra cover.
By the end of the 16th ball, Australia had amassed 38 runs, with Warner contributing 33 of those runs.
Despite a chance for the spinner to dismiss Warner, he was dropped two balls later when a fiercely struck shot returned to him.
With both openers, Warner and Josh Inglis, firmly entrenched at the crease, Australia raced to 77 runs in the powerplay.
WEST INDIES MOUNTED A STRONG COUNTERATTACK.
Shortly after the fielding restrictions were lifted, both Warner and Inglis gave West Indies opportunities, but both were dropped.
However, Holder eventually broke through, with Inglis mistiming a shot in the air for Powell to take a comfortable catch.
A few overs later, Mitchell Marsh fell victim to Alzarri Joseph’s short ball, edging it to the keeper, and two deliveries later, Warner attempted a scoop shot, only to glove it to Nicholas Pooran, who had earlier dropped him.
Andre Russell made a significant impact upon his return, claiming three wickets, while Romario Shepherd also contributed to the haul, dismissing Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis without inflicting much damage.
However, Tim David’s late blitz ensured Australia surpassed the 200-run mark comfortably.
The big-hitter smashed two boundaries and two sixes in his unbeaten 17-ball 37.
WEST INDIES BEGAN THEIR CHASE ON A STRONG NOTE.
Forced to adopt an aggressive approach from the outset, Johnson Charles and Brandon King wasted no time in taking the attack to the opposition.
They launched a blistering assault right from the first over of the chase.
Smashing three boundaries, they amassed 16 runs off Jason Behrendorff’s initial over.
Their aggressive intent persisted throughout the powerplay as they accumulated a formidable total of 72 runs during this phase.
The opening pair continued to flourish, building a solid partnership of 89 runs before Adam Zampa intervened, asserting his presence in the contest.
THE MOMENTUM SHIFTED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF ADAM ZAMPA.
The match turned decisively in Australia’s favor with the intervention of leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
After conceding nine runs in his initial over, Zampa made a significant impact upon his return.
He induced Johnson Charles into mistiming a shot, resulting in a catch to the deep point fielder, breaking the dangerous opening partnership.
This breakthrough initiated a collapse for West Indies.
Shortly after, Marcus Stoinis had Brandon King caught at deep mid-wicket, and in the subsequent over, Glenn Maxwell dismissed Rovman Powell, curtailing his aggressive yet brief innings.
Despite possessing a deep batting lineup, West Indies continued their attacking approach.
However, players like Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope failed to replicate the impact of Powell’s aggressive stroke play.
Zampa’s influence remained pivotal as he concluded his spell by dismissing Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran in his final over.
He cleaned up Russell and had Pooran caught at deep mid-wicket, further solidifying Australia’s grip on the match.
HOLDER LED THE CHARGE FOR WEST INDIES IN THEIR CHASE.
Batting at No. 9, Holder entered the fray with West Indies requiring 56 runs from just 22 balls.
Despite the daunting challenge, the formidable all-rounder launched a fierce assault on Behrendorff in the 18th over.
With 27 runs needed off the final over, Holder unleashed a powerful strike over the deep mid-wicket boundary against Sean Abbott.
However, his valiant effort of 34 runs from 15 balls ultimately ended in defeat as Abbott’s accurate yorkers secured victory for his side.
Leave a Reply