The West Indies suffered a humiliating defeat as Australia clinched an emphatic eight-wicket win in the third One-Day International (ODI), sealing a clean sweep of the series.
Inspired by a stellar performance from rookie pacer Xavier Bartlett, Australia dismantled the Windies in record time at Manuka Oval in the Australian capital.
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, the West Indies faltered under Bartlett’s fiery spell, collapsing to a mere 86 all out in 24.1 overs. Left-hander Alick Athanaze was the lone fighter, managing the top score of 32. Bartlett, playing in only his second ODI, wreaked havoc with figures of four for 21, spearheading Australia’s dominant bowling display.
Wasted no time in chasing down the paltry target
In response, Australia wasted no time in chasing down the paltry target, reaching 87 runs in just 6.5 overs. Opener Jake Fraser-McGurk led the charge with a blistering 41 off 18 balls, ably supported by Josh Inglis, who remained unbeaten on 35.
The Windies’ defeat was not only comprehensive but also historic, marking the shortest completed men’s ODI win on home soil for Australia, achieved in just 186 balls out of the 600 available. This defeat ranks among the six fewest balls faced in any completed men’s ODI, and stands as the shortest ODI (excluding overs-reduced matches) staged in Australia.
Reflecting on the loss, West Indies captain Shai Hope lamented their batting woes throughout the series, emphasizing the need for introspection and a change in mindset. Despite a resilient start in the Power Play, the Windies’ batting line-up crumbled under pressure, losing wickets at regular intervals.
12th consecutive ODI win
Notably, this defeat extends the Windies’ winless streak against Australia in ODIs on Australian soil to 22 consecutive matches, with their last victory dating back 27 years.
With this resounding victory, Australia secured their 12th consecutive ODI win, affirming their dominance in the series after claiming victories in the first two matches by eight wickets and 83 runs, respectively.
The defeat serves as a wake-up call for the Windies, urging them to regroup and strategize ahead of future encounters to reclaim their competitive edge in international cricket.
,){kind=link}