Australia vs West Indies, 1st T20I match: 3 Major talking points as Australia edge out West Indies in high scoring encounter

Australia beat West Indies by 11 runs in a high-scoring affair in the first T20I in Hobart. Rovman Powell won the toss and elected to bowl first. This was the invitation David Warner did not want to let go of as he set the stage alight with a cracking half-century. Australia lost some momentum in the middle overs but had enough muscle to get to 213.

 West Indies too got off the blocks with a lot of intent and the duo of Johnson Charles and Brandon King pushed Australia right on the backfoot with their fiery opening stand. However, the visitors stuttered in the middle overs and despite Jason Holder’s blitz in the end, they fell short by 11 runs.

Let’s take a look at 3 major talking points after this 1st T20I between Australia and West Indies.

 

3. David Warner

David-Warner. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The left-hander batter was not at his best in the ILT20 for Dubai Capitals. However, he was at his smashing best on his return to international cricket as he hit the ground running in the first match against the West Indies.

Australia were asked to bat first and Warner was in no mood to let this slip. The hosts got off to a blistering start as Warner and his opening partner Josh Inglis (39) smashed their way in the powerplay and added 93 runs for the first wicket before Inglis was dismissed. Warner was in no mood to relent as he raced to his fifty in just 22 balls.

In the process, he became the first-ever player to score 100 half-centuries in men’s T20 cricket and his innings of 70 off 36 balls should give Australia a lot of confidence.

2. The West Indies openers fly off the blocks

Brandon-King. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Chasing a formidable 213, West Indies raced off the blocks courtesy of Johnson Charles and Brandon King. Together, the duo hit 13 fours and two sixes as they added 89 runs for the first wicket in just 8.3 overs. Charles looked at his aggressive best as he clobbered both spin and pace, while Brandon King combined grace with a lot of brute force.

Although West Indies lost momentum in the middle overs, this start from their openers set the perfect template for them – not only for this series but also for the rest of the season and even the T20 World Cup.

1. Adam Zampa shows his worth

Adam-Zampa. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

West Indies looked to have the chance under control, but they did not account for Adam Zampa. One of Australia’s key bowlers in white ball cricket, the leg-spinner showed why exactly he is rated so high.

He sliced through the middle order and was thrifty in the bargain. He accounted for Johnson Charles, Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran to effectively shut the match for West Indies. On a batting belter, Zampa ended with figures of 3 for 26 in his four overs and won the game for his side.