Australia Edge West Indies by 3 Wickets to Take 4‑0 Lead in T20I Series
In the 4th T20I at Warner Park, Basseterre, Australia breasted the line chasing 206, edging West Indies by three wickets with just four balls to spare. The win sealed Australia’s 4–0 lead in the five‑match series and showcased striking batting, brilliant fielding, and nerves of steel under pressure.
West Indies Posted a Challenging 205/9
- West Indies, invited to bat first after Australia won the toss, notched 205/9.
- Aggressive starts from Brandon King and Shai Hope got them going, but once they fell, the middle order spluttered—with 26‑year‑old Rovman Powell becoming WI’s second-highest T20I run-getter during the match.
- Tight Australian bowling then clipped strings of wickets mid-innings, keeping the total chaseable.
Australia’s Chase: Green & Inglis Rescue the Day
- Australia’s top order stumbled—Mitchell Marsh was out for a duck to Jediah Blades.
- Now resilient duo Cameron Green (55, 35b)* and Josh Inglis (51, 30b) orchestrated the chase:
- Green’s unbeaten knock included three sixes and three fours.
- Inglis countered with a brisk fifty featuring ten fours and a six.
- The pair put up a nerves-of-steel half-century partnership, steering Australia from 130/5 to 206/7 in 19.2 overs.
- Glenn Maxwell also delivered fireworks with 47 off 18, blasting six sixes while batting at No. 4, further destabilizing Windies’ plan.
Maxwell’s Magic: Fielding Moments That Broke Matches
- Maxwell produced two jaw-dropping fielding moments:
- A sensational one-handed catch to dismiss Shai Hope, diving backwards at mid‑on.
- A miraculous relay throw from the air to dismiss Romario Shepherd, who had lofted Zampa high earlier—“simply spectacular,” marveled commentators.
These world-class efforts underscored Maxwell’s unrivalled fielding status and lifted the entire Australian unit’s energy.
Score Summary at a Glance
| Team | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 205/9 (20 overs) | Powell rises; batters faded late |
| Australia | 206/7 (19.2 overs) | Green 55*, Inglis 51, Maxwell 47 off 18 |
Tactical Takeaways
- West Indies aimed for big-hitters up front but lacked depth. Once powerplay wickets tumbled, momentum stalled.
- Australia’s approach was patient until potential bombers (Green, Inglis, Maxwell) arrived to convert middle-overs into magical spells.
- Maxwell’s fielding signaled a turning point—iversal athleticism turned tight moments into critical breakthroughs.
Takeaways & Series Narrative
- Australia dominate mental battleground: Five-match whitewash well within sight after four one-sided victories.
- Emerging match-winners: With Tim David rested, Green and Inglis stepped up heroically—highlighting bench strength.
- Fielding standard on display: Maxwell’s brilliance elevated the match—others also set the bar with pressure-saving efforts.
- West Indies searching solutions: Their chase capability over 200 for the second time in four matches underlined talent—but consistency remains a concern.
Australia’s three-wicket chase and series lead reflect not just talent—but temperament. With Green and Inglis’s composed batting, Maxwell’s game-changing fielding, and backup depth shining through, they head into the final T20I on July 28 aiming to complete a whitewash.
For West Indies, excitement remains—but the sting of this comprehensive loss offers lessons before the final clash. Either way, their fans won’t forget Maxwell’s catches—or how close Green and Inglis came to stealing the show alone.
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