Warner, Zampa stars in a high scoring Thriller

A mammoth 415 runs were scored in the first T20i between AUS vs WI but West Indies failed to maintain the tempo of the match in a big chase.

In the first match of the series at Bellerive Oval, Australia held off a furious chase from a fully-fit West Indies side, thanks in large part to the brilliant innings of David Warner, who hit a half-century in his 100th Twenty20 International. Legspinner Adam Zampa also shone.

After being brought in, Tim David struck a 17-ball 37 and Warner cracked 70 from 36 deliveries as Australia dominated the innings in an equal-record T20I total in Hobart.

West Indies, chasing 214, were in the lead as openers Johnson Charles and Brandon King smashed a half-century partnership in just four overs. Zampa, however, outwitted an extremely aggressive West Indies team in the middle overs, and they were unsuccessful.

With the second game of the three-match series scheduled for Sunday in Adelaide, both teams’ T20 World Cup preparations have officially begun.

Inglis and Warner gave a blistering start

Warner’s final international cricket tournament, the T20 World Cup, is all but guaranteed. But with Josh Inglis receiving first opportunity after dominating at the top of the order in the ODI series, the race is on to identify his opening partner.

Inglis, who batted at No. 3 and made a century in India towards the end of last year, started for the first time in his 16th Twenty20 International. Inglis was a specialist batter and initially watched as Warner pounded the new ball while Matthew Wade took up the gloves.

Despite never really nailing his timing, Inglis demonstrated his 360-degree range by making 39 off of 25 balls. Using his preferred stroke, he first gave himself space to smash left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein through the off-side.

His greatest hit was a deft reverse lap scoop to show off his carefree batting style, which he followed up with a powerful pull shot to remind everyone that his style was developed on bouncy WACA surfaces.

Jason Holder, who had before been the target of a furious Warner, delivered a slower delivery that caused Inglis to stumble. Warner, who had troubled in the ILT20 on slow UAE grounds, relished the speedier surface as he quickly reached his half-century off of 22 balls. However, he lost pace after Inglis was removed and was caught by a slower delivery from Alzarri Joseph in the thirteenth over.

Warner became one of only two players, along with Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor, to reach 100 internationals in each format.

WI pacers showed some fightback by taking the pace off

Captain Rovman Powell, who had chosen to bowl, had hoped for early breakthroughs on a grassy wicket, but his assault found it difficult to pose a threat with the new ball.

The only bowler with true pace in the West Indies was Joseph, and they had an abundance of all-rounders. Additionally, his increased pace helped the West Indies mount a comeback by accounting for Mitchell Marsh, who played despite testing positive for Covid-19.

In an attempt to clear the ground, Australia’s big-hitters were bowled out by their seamers, who upped the tempo in the latter stages of the game. However, they were helpless against David at the end as Australia concluded with a bang.

While the West Indies’ reliance on slower deliveries seems risky on Australia’s harsher wickets, it seems to be a model for the gentler surfaces they can expect at their home World Cup. They should take care of their careless fielding, which has resulted in a few misfields and dropped catches.

Big-hitters from the West Indies go all in

In the ODI series, West Indies’ batting line hardly made a dent, although they were reinforced by a glut of strong hitters. Due to T20 franchise cricket commitments, King and Charles were both unable to play, but they were warmly received upon their return as they trampled over the new ball.

They got off to a fast start, smashing Glenn Maxwell’s offspin for 17 runs in the third over. Charles hit a massive six out of the ground, forcing Josh Hazlewood, who is usually a frugal player, to replace his ball.

However, King completed a half-century off 36 deliveries before falling on the following ball while trying to smash Marcus Stoinis for six on the leg-side. Charles, meanwhile, holed out to Zampa in the ninth over. Despite Holder’s final assault, West Indies was unable to maintain their aerial strategy and eventually lost ground.

Zampa outwits the West Indies, and Behrendorff receives early treatment

It’s clear that Australia’s front-line pace attack is set, but it’s unclear which other quicks will be chosen for the World Cup. Left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff is in the mix after making waves last year, including a sensational IPL debut. He was chosen for this series while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were rested.

However, Behrendroff struggled to produce his signature swing due to the windy circumstances, and he was hammered for 16 runs in the opening over. To conclude with 1 for 38 after 3 overs, he claimed the late wicket of Romario Shepherd.

Zampa was tasked with stabilizing Australia, and he delivered an outstanding 16th over to remove Russell and Nicholas Pooran, effectively ending the West Indies’ chances.

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