AUS VS WI 1ST ODI
1st ODI, Melbourne, February 02, 2024, 09:00 AM
West Indies
231/10(48.4ov)
Australia
232/2(38.3ov)
Australia beat West Indies by 8 wickets
That is all from this match. These two meet again in two days, on the 4th of this month at 9 am IST (3.30 am GMT). Can West Indies square things up or Australia will seal the series? Join us early for the coverage to find out. From here, it is goodbye.
Xavier Bartlett wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD. He says he is very pleased to begin this way and to end it up with a win. States it was good to come in with confidence and it is an amazing feeling. Adds, it has been an incredible experience and he enjoyed it. Shares it is surreal to play under Steven Smith.
In reply, Josh Inglis gave a blistering start as he scored a quick fire fifty. He fell but the game was half-way towards the hosts. Then the winning partnership came in with Cameron Green and Steven Smith as both knocked it around and scored respective fifties to win convincingly. West Indies could have batted well. They even had enough runs to take the game deep but were short of experience in both departments.
A one-sided affair in the end and Australia go 1-0 up in the three-match series. After opting to bowl first, the hosts started well as the speedster Xavier Bartlett took three wickets in his first spell. Australia were looking strong but the middle phase wasn't as expected as the fielding got a bit loose and they allowed a stand to build. Keacy Carty and Roston Chase added more than 100. Both scored fifty and looked all set for a score above 250 but once Chase fell, West Indies lost confidence and the runs were hard to buy then. Keacy Carty fell and eventually they ended with a par score.
In over# 39
4
0
0
Hayden Walsh 41/0(7.3)
38.3
4
FOUR! Cut away and there are the winning runs! It is Steven Smith who does it. Shorter and outside off, he plays it past point and this one races away to the fence.
38.2
.
Around off, this is pushed to cover.
38.1
.
On the stumps, blocked.
In over# 38
0
0
0
2
1
0
Roston Chase 31/0(6)
37.6
.
On the pads, this is nudged around the corner for one.
37.5
.
On the stumps, kept out.
37.4
.
On off, this is pushed towards mid on.
37.3
2
Two! On the pads, this is nudged on the leg side for one.
37.2
1
Another single as this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
37.1
.
Around off, Steven Smith pushes it to covers,
In over# 37
1
1
0
0
1
1
Hayden Walsh 37/0(7)
36.6
1
Shortish and on off, Steven Smith pushes it past cover for one.
36.5
1
Another one as this is guided through point.
36.4
.
On middle, thi is worked to mid-wicket.