Finch & Wade Steer Australia To A Thrilling 3-Wicket Win Against West Indies In 1st T20I

AUS vs WI: Captain Aaron Finch scored a half-century while Matthew Wade once again played the perfect finisher as Australia defeated West Indies by 3 wickets in a last-over thriller in the 1st T20I. With this win, hosts Australia are 1-0 up in the 2-match T20I series against West Indies. 

Chasing 146, Australia lost David Warner (14) in the 2nd over to Sheldon Cottrell. Mitchell Marsh (3) was dismissed cheaply in the same over by Cottrell. Opener Cameron Green (14) was the next to depart in the 6th over. 

After that, explosive batters Glenn Maxwell and Tim David were dismissed for ducks. However, batting at #4 for the first time in his limited over career, Aaron Finch held the crease at one end as he played a captain's knock. Alongwith Matthew Wade, Finch etched a partnership of 69 runs for the 6th wicket. 

Finch was dismissed in the 18th over after scoring 58 runs off 53 balls with 6 boundaries. With 11 runs required in the last over, Matthew Wade smacked a boundary and West Indies dropped two catches, as Australia reached 146 runs with a ball remaining. Wade remained unbeaten after scoring 39 runs off 29 balls with 5 fours. 

For West Indies, Sheldon Cottrell & Alzarri Joseph picked up 2 wickets each while Jason Holder, Yannic Cariah and Odean Smith grabbed 1 wicket each. In the first innings, with an aggressive batting approach by the visitors and accurate bowling by the hosts, West Indies managed to post 145/9 in 20 overs against Australia in the 1st T20I. 

For West Indies, opener Kyle Mayers top scored with 39 runs off 36 balls (4x5, 6x1). Odean Smith played a quick hand at the end, helping West Indies closer to a par score. The all-rounder smacked 3 fours & a six to score 27 runs. 

None of the other batters were able to cross the 20-run mark as Australian bowlers kept picking up wickets. Josh Hazlewood grabbed three wickets while Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins managed 2 wickets each. Cameroon Green also picked up a wicket. 

Also Read: T20 WC Schedule & squads 2022

Earlier, Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss & opted to bowl first against West Indies in the 1st T20I. This match is being played at Metricon Stadium, Queensland. 

Brief Score:

• West Indies – 145/9 (Mayers - 39(36), Hazlewood - 3/35)
• Australia – 146/7 in 19.5 overs (Finch - 58(53), Joseph - 2/17)