Australia defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the first one-day international in Melbourne on Friday. Australian captain Steve Smith and Cameron Green scored 149 runs while batting brilliantly.
Smith scored 79 runs (not out) from 79 balls, while third batsman Cameron scored 77 runs from 104 balls, also not out.
Australia thus easily chased down the target of 232 runs with 11.3 overs remaining. Opener Josh Ingles played a brilliant innings of 65 runs off 43 balls which included 10 fours and a six.
It was Australia’s 10th ODI win in a row, including last year’s victory over India in the World Cup.
West Indies will be under pressure to prevent Australia’s series sweep after the loss in the first ODI.
Today’s match proved to be very easy for Australia. Only Travis Head failed to bat well, scoring just four runs off five balls.
Debutant Australian fast bowler Xavier Bartlett was named man of the match, taking four wickets for 17 runs in nine overs. He took the first wicket on the third ball.
Australian batsman Cameron Greene is seen in action during the first one-day international against the West Indies in Melbourne on February 2, 2024 (AFP)
“Great start,” Bartlett said. Great role in victory. Nothing more can be asked for.’
‘I watched Steve Smith on TV for the last 10 years. Now being on the field and playing under his captaincy feels like a dream.’
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
Green scored a half-century off 62 balls. Smith scored 50 runs off 58 balls. Ingles hit three fours in Matthew Ford’s fourth over and hit a six off Ocean Thomas to bring up his half-century off just 28 balls.
Ingles tried to play a reverse sweep shot against bowler Gadkesh Moti but failed and was caught out by the fielder at slip position.
West Indies Casey Carty was on his way to scoring his maiden century in ODIs during the innings. However, he failed to score a century due to a mix-up with his batting partner Hayden Walsh.
Walsh’s mistake resulted in Carty being run out and instead of crossing the 100-run milestone, he scored 88 off 108 balls.
Bartlett got the important wicket by dismissing West Indies captain Shai Hope. Hope was caught by Matthew Short at first slip after scoring 12 runs.
With this wicket, Bartlett took three wickets by giving eight runs in five overs. The second ODI between the two teams will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
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2024-08-05 20:10:01