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ЁЯЗжЁЯЗ║ Mitchell Owen Shines on Dream Debut as Australia Edges West Indies in T20I Opener
Australia Continues Dominance With T20I Series Opener Win
Following a clean sweep in the Test series, Australia continued their winning momentum by clinching the first T20I against West Indies by three wickets in Jamaica. Debutant Mitchell Owen emerged as the standout performer with a blistering 50 off just 27 balls, steering AustraliaтАЩs successful chase of 190.
The opening game also marked the beginning of Andre RussellтАЩs farewell series, which was overshadowed by a collective Australian performance, featuring Ben Dwarshuis’s 4-wicket haul and a rapid-fire half-century from Cameron Green.
West Indies Post Competitive Total Amid Late Collapse
Roston Chase and Shai Hope Power WI to Strong Start
Opting to bat after losing the toss, West Indies openers Brandon King and Shai Hope came out all guns blazing, smashing boundaries early on. Despite the early dismissal of King by spinner Cooper Connolly, Hope maintained a high scoring rate, forming a solid 56-run partnership with Roston Chase during the powerplay.
The Caribbean side reached 103/1 at the halfway mark, with Chase accelerating after the fielding restrictions eased. He brought up his half-century in just 26 balls and took on the Aussie bowlers with aggressive strokeplay.
Dwarshuis Turns the Game with Late-Over Heroics
Just when West Indies were eyeing a score beyond 200, Ben Dwarshuis struck a crucial blow by removing Chase in the 13th over. This triggered a mini-collapse as Dwarshuis dismissed Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Jason Holder in a single over тАФ turning the tide in Australia’s favor.
Despite Shimron HetmyerтАЩs brief fireworks, West Indies could only manage 189/8 in their 20 overs.
ЁЯУО Related Read: Australia Completes 3-0 Test Series Whitewash Over West Indies
Owen, Green Lead Australia’s Charge in High-Pressure Chase
Early Wobbles but Middle-Order Rescues the Innings
AustraliaтАЩs chase began shakily with Jake Fraser-McGurk falling early. However, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis steadied the ship, with Marsh and later Green unleashing a flurry of boundaries. Australia ended the powerplay at 64/2, thanks to GreenтАЩs explosive entry featuring three sixes off Alzarri Joseph.
The dismissals of Inglis and Glenn Maxwell gave West Indies hope, but that brought together the game-changing duo of Cameron Green and Mitchell Owen.
OwenтАЩs Fearless Knock Turns the Game
Making his T20I debut, Mitchell Owen showcased nerves of steel. He launched two sixes off Russell in the same over and followed it up with three consecutive sixes off Akeal Hosein, one of which soared out of the stadium. The pairтАЩs 80-run partnership in just 40 balls took the game away from the hosts.
Green also reached his 25-ball fifty before falling in the same over. Owen went on to complete a memorable debut half-century before eventually being dismissed, leaving just 10 runs for the tail to finish.
Tail Seals Victory with Composure
Though Connolly and Owen departed in quick succession, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis calmly saw the visitors home in 18.5 overs, ensuring Australia drew first blood in the T20I series.
ЁЯФН Match Summary
West Indies: 189/8 in 20 overs
(Roston Chase 60, Shai Hope 55; Ben Dwarshuis 4/36)
Australia: 190/7 in 18.5 overs
(Cameron Green 51, Mitchell Owen 50; Gudakesh Motie 2/29)
Result: Australia won by 3 wickets
ЁЯУОICC Match Centre тАУ Australia vs West Indies T20I
