AUS vs WI: Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford shine as West Indies beat Australia in 3rd T20I

In Perth, both players scored rapid half-centuries to lead the visitors to a 220-6 lead, while Australia could only muster 183-5 in response. David Warner led Australia’s scoring with 81 in his final at-home game.
In their third and final match on Tuesday, the West Indies defeated Australia by 37 runs thanks to the greatest sixth-wicket partnership in T20 international history, which was shared by Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford.

The home team won the opening game in Hobart by 11 runs, and they won the series in Adelaide by 34 runs.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the West Indies got off to a terrible start, losing three wickets in the first three overs.

However, Russell (71 off 29 balls) and Rutherford (67 off 40, undefeated) spearheaded the comeback, scoring their highest T20I totals in a record-breaking 139-run sixth-wicket partnership.
Spinner Adam Zampa’s four overs of 1-65 was his most costly in the format.

Russell remarked, “I was just happy I could contribute tonight.” “I believe that this team’s nature is that we are always in it.” Despite losing five wickets, there was no panic in the changing rooms.

“Tonight, we played as a unit and I’m glad we came together as a team.”
After the six-over powerplay, Warner and captain Mitchell Marsh of Australia got off to a strong start, hitting 61 without losing.

Before Marsh was out for 17, Warner reached his 3,000th run when he reached his 26th half-century off of 25 balls, soaring a catch to Jason Holder off Akeal Hosein.

At the midway point, they were up 98-1, but tight bowling kept them down.
Australia lost three wickets for three runs, which shifted the tide of the contest. Two of them were claimed by Roston Chase, who also bowled Aaron Hardie (16), Warner, and Josh Inglis (one).

Tim David hit a blistering 41, but the chase collapsed despite Glenn Maxwell’s undefeated 120 in Adelaide. With 96 needed off the last five overs, it was too much for even him, as he went for 12.
Marsh remarked, “We knew the West Indies would come into this series; they’re a really good team with some amazing cricketers.”

Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s pace spearhead, was rested, therefore Xavier Bartlett made his debut and, in his first over, Johnson Charles nicked wicketkeeper Matthew Wade before bowling Kyle Mayers in his second. Jason Behrendorff removed Nicholas Pooran in the interim, leaving the West Indies reeling at 17-3.

However, Chase started the rebuilding, scoring 17 off Bartlett’s third over before Zampa proved to be his opponent and he was bowled for 37 while trying for yet another huge hit.

Before Rutherford and Russell could intervene, Hardie had already taken care of Rovman Powell (age 21).
Rutherford smashed five sixes and five fours, while Russell hammered seven sixes and four boundaries.