ADELAIDE: Australia defeated the West Indies through 34 runs in their second Twenty20 international to win the series on Sunday in Adelaide. Big-hitting Glenn Maxwell hammered a fifty-ball century.
By smashing eight sixes and twelve fours in a furious 120 not out from 55 deliveries, the 35-year-old was in menacing form.
Australia scored 241-4 thanks to it, while their opponents could only produce 207-9 in response, aided by a valiant 63 from captain Rovman Powell.
“It was really enjoyable. We saw in the Big Bash how amazing the wickets were throughout the tournament, so the batting is always good here, Maxwell added. “It was a lovely, real wicket. My hand speed has always been my go-to method, and it worked for me today. I always give myself my best shot, and it feels good to make a good impression.
With one match still to play in Perth on Tuesday, the hosts prevailed by 11 runs in the first match in Hobart.
In the run chase, Johnson Charles of the West Indies struck a massive six off the opening ball he faced, knowing that his team had to start strong.
Josh Hazlewood’s wicket maiden put an end to the threat, as Brandon King was caught for five on the ropes.
After that, Nicholas Pooran destroyed the next over bowled by Jason Behrendorff, hitting three straight sixes. However, he was not to last, as on the eighteenth over, left-arm quick Spencer Johnson claimed his first-ever home international wicket by spooning to midwicket.In his opening over, Marcus Stoinis dismissed Shai Hope (0) and Charles (24) to leave them at 62-4.
Before Powell’s 36-ball effort proved to be in vain, Johnson claimed his second wicket of the evening to dismiss Sherfane Rutherford (0) and Stoinis claimed his third in Andre Russell (37 off 16).
Powell remarked, “The boys showed courage; they started aggressively, but we keep losing wickets and we didn’t get big partnerships in the middle.” “But the Australian guys deserve credit—they bowled really well.”
Josh Inglis, the Australian opener, was caught in the deep while attempting to knock Jason Holder out of the ground after just six balls.
Mitchell Marsh, the captain, scored an impressive 29 runs to lead the team to 58-2 during their power play. However, he attempted one too many slogs and Holder caught him well at mid-on off Alzarri Joseph. David Warner then followed shortly after for 22.
After that, with every delivery, Maxwell approached the crease and started looking for the boundary. In order to attain a half-century off 25 balls, he frequently found it with a range of astounding strokes.
Before Tim David (31 off 14), an additional excellent hitter, joined him, he and Stoinis (16) teamed for 82 runs, which saw him carry home the championship.
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
