Australia, on Friday (February 2), beat West Indies by eight wickets in the first AUS vs WI ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to take the lead in the three-match series. Debutant Xavier Bartlett starred with the ball before Josh Inglis (65), Cameron Green (77*) and stand-in captain Steve Smith (79*) scored fifties to take their team home.
Set a modest target of 232 runs, Australia crossed the finishing line in the 39th over at the loss of 2 wickets. Playing his first ODI since hitting the stunning century in the World Cup final in November, Travis Head failed to get going with the bat. The left-handed batsman, who registered two ducks in the second Test against West Indies last week, scored just 4 before being dismissed by Matthew Forde.
Josh Inglis and Cameron Green, however, did not let the visitors capitalize on the early breakthrough. Inglis scored a quickfire fifty, reaching the milestone in just 28 balls. He scored 65 runs off 43 balls and shared a 79-run stand with Green before Gudakesh Motie sent him back. Green and Smith then shared an unbeaten stand of 149 runs to take Australia home in the first AUS vs WI ODI.
AUS vs WI: West Indies innings:
Earlier in the game, Xavier Bartlett made a dream debut to help Australia bowl out West Indies for a modest total of 231 runs in 48.4 overs. The right-arm pacer, who was the highest wicket-taker in the Big Bash League, dismissed Justin Greaves (1) with a beauty in his very first over before dismissing Alick Athanaze (5) in his second to leave the visitors 2 down for 17 inside 4 overs.
WHAT A PEACH! 🍑
Xavier Bartlett starts his international career with a ripper! #PlayOfTheDay | #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/CyfNJyvjzS
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 2, 2024
Even before the visitors could recover from the early blows, Bartlett struck again to remove their captain Shai Hope (12) and reduced West Indies to 37 for 3 in the 10th over. Cameron Green then sent back Kavem Hodge (11) as West Indies found themselves reeling at 59 for 4 in the 16th over.
Keacy Carty (88) and Roston Chase (59) steadied the ship for the tourists with a 110-run stand. Their stand put the visitors in a good position and they were looking good to post in excess of 250 but failed to do so. Adam Zampa broke the century-plus stand by dismissing Chase to give his team a much-needed breakthrough.
Into the action! Adam Zampa gets his first of the day #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/FDciWtwzgt
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 2, 2024
Carty was looking set to complete a well-deserved century but his innings ended in an unfortunate manner in the 41st over when he was run out by Sean Abbott. The likes of Hayden Walsh (20) and Matthew Forde (19) then played handy knocks to take the total to 230-plus. For Australia, Bartlett was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 17 off 9 overs.
Bullseye! And Sean Abbott whips out the bow and arrow for the celebration too! 🏹 #CleanHands | #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/c9cCFZRq9V
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 2, 2024
West Indies innings:
Australia innings:
Brief scores: West Indies 231/10 in 48.4 overs (Keacy Carty 88, Roston Chase 59; Xavier Bartlett 4 – 17) lost to Australia 232/2 in 38.3 overs (Steve Smith 79*, Cameron Green 77*; Matthew Forde 1-37) by 8 wickets.
