The Windies seized the initiative over Australia with victory in the first T20I but have plenty of areas to improve. Australia had looked on course to win the opener but a spectacular collapse cost them a winning start to their touR.
West Indies vs Australia
Second T20
Sunday 11 July 2021
The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, St. Lucia
01:30
To Win Match
Australia 13/20
Tie 25/1
West Indies 12/10
West Indies
The Windies top order failed to launch in the opening match leaving a lot of work for Andre Russell and the lower order to get done. On reputation, the West Indies have an incredible top order but they were inconsistent against the Proteas and have started the series against Australia in a similar fashion.
Evin Lewis went early in the series opener but has otherwise been the form batsman for the West Indies. Russell was the top scorer in the first T20I with his 51, with no other Windies batsman passing 30.
Obed McCoy and Hayden Walsh pulled the match out of the fire for the West Indies with devastating spells that shredded the tourists batting. McCoy was impressive against South Africa and looks like a bowler to watch this year.
The West Indies need to improve their powerplay efforts to give their finishers a better base to work from.
Australia
Australia’s senior men, Matthew Wade and Mitchell Marsh had put the team in a position to cruise to victory in the opener but the men from Downunder suffered another mega collapse.
They may be missing a handful of regulars who withdrew from the tour over bubble-weariness but there are places in the World Cup squad up for grabs for those who have travelled.
Australia bowled well having most of their first-choice attack available.
Marsh was impressive with bat and ball and was the only top-order man to make a big impression to start the series.
Verdict: West Indies 12/10
Australia’s batting is a little thin.
