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Australia Clinch 4-0 Series Lead as Green, Inglis Shine in High-Scoring T20I Thriller
Australia Survive Late Collapse to Overhaul 206 in St. Kitts
Australia secured a thrilling three-wicket win over West Indies in the fourth T20I at Warner Park, St. Kitts, riding on powerful fifties from Cameron Green and Josh Inglis. Despite a spirited fightback by the Caribbean side, the visitors chased down a steep target of 206 with four balls to spare, taking an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match series.
West Indies Post 205 Despite Early Setbacks
Top-order Wobbles Offset by Rutherford, Hetmyer and HolderтАЩs Firepower
After electing to bowl on a used pitch, Australia struck early but could not prevent West Indies from reaching a formidable 205/9. Brandon King started brightly with a couple of boundaries, but his stay ended in the second over when he lobbed Xavier Bartlett to mid-wicket. Shai Hope soon followed, mistiming a pull off Nathan Ellis to Glenn Maxwell, who was exceptional in the field.
Maxwell claimed another stunner to dismiss Roston Chase, running in from mid-on and completing a one-handed catch to give Australia their third breakthrough inside the PowerPlay. Despite the top-order collapse, Sherfane Rutherford kept the scoring rate high, smashing 31 off just 15 balls, including two sixes and four boundaries. However, his aggressive approach led to his dismissal as he sliced one to Mitchell Marsh off Adam Zampa.
Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell provided a solid middle-overs surge. Hetmyer struck two consecutive sixes off Zampa and looked in ominous touch before being caught at long-on by Mitchell Owen. At 111/5 in 10 overs, West Indies hoped for a late assault.
Jason Holder (24 off 13) and Romario Shepherd (21 off 12) ensured that the innings didnтАЩt fizzle out. They shared a brisk partnership and added vital runs in the death overs. Akeal Hosein also contributed with a maximum before rain delayed play briefly in the final over. Nathan Ellis returned to bowl a tight 20th over, restricting West Indies to 205/9.
тЮбя╕П Read our analysis of Adam ZampaтАЩs role in AustraliaтАЩs T20 bowling strategy
Inglis, Maxwell and Green Lead AustraliaтАЩs Counterattack
Early Jolt as Marsh Falls for a Duck
Chasing 206, Australia were dealt an early blow when skipper Mitchell Marsh was dismissed lbw for a duck in the very first over by young pacer Jediah Blades. Though replays indicated the delivery pitched outside leg, Australia had no reviews left.
Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell responded with counter-attacking strokeplay, putting Australia back on track. Inglis mixed innovative strokes тАФ scoops, reverse sweeps, and powerful cuts тАФ to disrupt the bowlers’ rhythm. Maxwell launched into the West Indies attack, hitting a 101-meter six and clearing the boundary with ease multiple times.
The pair took Australia to 66/1 at the end of the PowerPlay, putting the visitors firmly in control. Inglis reached his half-century in just 28 balls before falling to Shepherd while attempting another big shot. Maxwell continued the momentum but was dismissed on 47 off 18 balls, falling just short of a deserving fifty.
Australia, from a dominant 129/2, suddenly found themselves at 134/5 as Mitchell Owen and Cooper Connolly fell in quick succession to Blades, who ended with impressive figures of 3/29.
Green Anchors the Chase After Middle-order Collapse
Cameron Green, already set at one end, held his composure despite the mini-collapse. He found an able partner in Aaron Hardie (23 off 18), and the duo stitched a crucial 51-run stand. They rotated strike effectively and picked boundaries at key moments to ease the pressure.
Even after HardieтАЩs dismissal and a run-out that saw Bartlett depart without facing a ball, Green remained calm and composed. He brought up his third fifty of the series and ensured Australia crossed the line with a single in the final over, remaining unbeaten on 55 off 38 balls.
Series Overview and What Lies Ahead
AustraliaтАЩs ability to chase down a massive target under pressure showcases their deep batting lineup and growing confidence ahead of upcoming international assignments. With the series already in the bag at 4-0, they will look to seal a whitewash in the fifth T20I.
West Indies, despite showing flashes of brilliance, particularly from Rutherford, Blades, and Hetmyer, have struggled with consistency and will aim for a consolation win in the final match.
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Brief Scorecard
West Indies: 205/9 in 20 overs (Rutherford 31, Holder 24; Zampa 3/54)
Australia: 206/7 in 19.2 overs (Green 55*, Inglis 51, Maxwell 47; Blades 3/29)
Result: Australia won by 3 wickets
