Australia continued their dominant run in the five-match T20I series by clinching a comfortable three-wicket win over the West Indies in the fourth game held in Basseterre, Saint Kitts on Saturday. With this victory, the visitors now lead the series 4-0, leaving the hosts still searching for their first win.
Chasing a competitive target of 206, Australia had an early setback when opener and captain Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for a duck. However, the innings quickly stabilized as Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis built a crucial 66-run partnership that laid the groundwork for the chase.
Maxwell contributed a valuable 47, while Inglis added 51 to his name. The middle-order efforts were complemented by a match-winning knock from Cameron Green, who smashed 55 runs off just 35 balls — his third half-century in the series — helping Australia cross the finish line with four balls remaining.
The West Indies bowling attack, led by Jediah Blades, tried to put up a fight. Blades picked up 3 wickets for 29 runs in his four-over spell, making him the standout performer with the ball for the home side.
Earlier in the match, the West Indies posted a total of 205/9. Their batting lineup struggled to build a dominant partnership, with Sherfane Rutherford top-scoring with a modest 31. Despite having a deep batting order, they failed to capitalize fully on their aggressive intent.
Australia’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Adam Zampa, the experienced leg-spinner, took three crucial wickets, while pacers Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, and Aaron Hardie chipped in with two wickets each. Their disciplined bowling attack ensured the hosts never fully got away with the bat, despite a strong start.
Reflecting on the match, Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh praised his team’s bowling effort. “Taking early wickets was important. We know how aggressively teams like the West Indies play, especially with the depth in their batting. They came hard at us the whole innings, but our bowlers did a fantastic job,” he said.
This comprehensive win not only highlights Australia’s consistency in the shorter format but also reflects their adaptability in challenging conditions. With just one match left in the series, the visitors have already sealed the series and will now look to complete a clean sweep.
The West Indies, meanwhile, will aim to salvage pride in the final game and avoid a whitewash. Their performance so far raises questions about their consistency and execution under pressure, particularly in home conditions.
