BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Australia’s tour of Caribbean dominance continued with ruthless precision on Saturday, as they clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory over the West Indies in the fourth T20 International at Warner Park.
The win handed the visitors an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match series and left the home side still searching for their first win of the tour, following a 3-0 sweep in the Tests.
Despite spirited resistance from the West Indies middle and lower order, the Aussies once again proved too clinical with both bat and ball—chasing down 205 with four balls to spare, thanks to explosive knocks from Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, and Cameron Green.
Early damage undone by Windies middle order fightback
Sent in to bat for the fourth consecutive time, West Indies were rattled early. Making his series debut, Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett made an immediate impact, removing openers Brandon King (18) and Shai Hope (10) cheaply. Roston Chase then fell for a duck—caught spectacularly by Glenn Maxwell leaping at mid-on—and Sherfane Rutherford, after a brisk 31 from 15 balls, was undone by leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who had him caught at backward point by skipper Mitchell Marsh.
At 67 for four, West Indies looked in dire straits. However, Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell reignited the innings with an aggressive partnership, maintaining a scoring rate above 10 runs an over. But just as momentum built, Hetmyer perished for 33, skying Sean Abbott to deep backward point, where Mitchell Owen took a diving stunner.
Powell followed soon after, picking out deep midwicket for 28, as West Indies stumbled to 119 for six.
Late surge lifts Windies to respectable total
Despite the top-order troubles, the lower order launched a crucial counterattack. Romario Shepherd (28 off 18), Jason Holder (26 off 16), Akeal Hosein (16 not out), and Matthew Forde (15 off 7) combined to lift the total to a competitive 205 for nine from 20 overs.
Australia’s bowlers delivered in bursts. Zampa led with 3-54, while Hardie (2-24), Bartlett (2-39), and Abbott (2-61) all made timely breakthroughs.
Inglis and Maxwell ignite Australia’s chase
Australia’s pursuit got off to a rocky start, as left-arm quick Jediah Blades struck early, trapping Mitchell Marsh lbw for a duck on the second ball. But Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell quickly turned the tide, adding 66 runs in just six overs of controlled carnage.
Inglis was in dazzling form, smashing 10 boundaries and a six in his 51 off 30 balls, reaching his half-century in just 28 deliveries. He punished Shepherd with four consecutive boundaries and then reverse-swept Forde to the ropes before clearing midwicket for six. His impressive stay ended when he flicked Shepherd to deep backward square, where Rutherford held on.
Maxwell, initially quiet, exploded after Inglis’ departure. He hammered Shepherd for a six and four, then clubbed Forde for two massive sixes in the ninth over. He looked on course for a half-century before falling for 47 off just 18 balls, caught by Holder off Akeal Hosein at long-on.
Blades strikes again but Green seals the deal
With Australia at 129 for three, Blades returned to trigger a mini-collapse—removing Mitchell Owen (2) and Cooper Connolly (0) in quick succession to leave the Aussies on 134 for five.
But Cameron Green stood firm. Anchoring the lower half of the innings, Green compiled a calm and composed unbeaten 55 off 35 balls, striking three sixes and three fours. He forged a 51-run stand with Aaron Hardie (23) and a match-winning 18-run partnership with Bartlett to guide Australia home in 19.2 overs.
Blades was the lone bright spark in the West Indies bowling attack, finishing with 3-29 from his four overs.
Australia eyes a clean sweep as Windies seek redemption
With the series already decided, the fifth and final T20I offers Australia a chance to complete a clean sweep across formats, while the West Indies will be desperate to salvage pride in front of their home fans.
If Saturday’s match was any indication, the Aussies remain laser-focused—and the Windies must find something special to stop their relentless march.
