West Indies, co-hosts of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, despatched an ominous warning to their rivals with a blistering efficiency in opposition to Australia of their last warm-up fixture on Thursday. Led by a ferocious batting assault from Nicholas Pooran and skipper Rovman Powell, the two-time T20 champions delighted their residence crowd with a batting masterclass, securing an emphatic 35-run victory over the defending champions.
WEST INDIES SMASHED 257/4 AGAINST AUSTRALIA IN THE WARM UP MATCH.
Nicholas Pooran – 75 (25).
Rovman Powell – 52 (25).
Sherfane Rutherford – 47* (18). pic.twitter.com/YuJCIzg9hM
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 31, 2024
Fireworks on the Queen’s Park Oval
The Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain was handled to a show of boundless power-hitting because the West Indies amassed a formidable whole of 257/4 from their 20 overs. Pooran, the star of the present, unleashed a barrage of massive hits, smashing an electrifying 75 off simply 25 deliveries, together with eight large sixes and 5 boundaries.
Pooran’s onslaught was complemented by an equally harmful knock from captain Rovman Powell, who clobbered 52 off 25 balls, laced with 4 fours and an equal variety of sixes. The left-handed Sherfane Rutherford (47* off 18) and opener Johnson Charles (40 off 31) additionally contributed to the Caribbean carnage, leaving the Australian bowlers bruised and battered.
Spinners Tormented on Batting Beauty
Australian spinners bore the brunt of the West Indian onslaught, with Adam Zampa conceding a whopping 62 runs from his 4 overs, regardless of choosing up two wickets. Josh Hazlewood and Ashton Agar weren’t spared both, leaking 55 and 58 runs respectively from their quota of overs on a batting magnificence.
Valiant Australian Effort in Vain
Despite lacking a number of key gamers, Australia put up a valiant chase, with Josh Inglis (55 off 30), Nathan Ellis (39 off 22), and Ashton Agar (28 off 13) main the cost. However, the mammoth goal of 258 proved too steep a climb, because the defending champions completed with 222/7 after their 20 overs.
The West Indian bowlers, led by spinner Gudakesh Motie (2/31) and pacer Alzarri Joseph (2/44), stored chipping away on the Australian batting lineup, guaranteeing their crew’s complete victory.
A Statement of Intent
This resounding win over the reigning T20 world champions serves as an announcement of intent from the West Indies. With a star-studded batting lineup able to unleashing fury on any bowling assault, and a well-rounded bowling unit, the Caribbean giants have despatched a transparent message to their rivals – they’re able to reclaim their throne as T20 kings.
As the T20 World Cup kicks off on Sunday, with the West Indies taking over Papua New Guinea of their opening encounter, the cricketing world eagerly awaits to witness if the hosts can keep their blistering type and make a robust push for his or her third T20 World Cup title.
In a match the place the smallest of margins can show decisive, the West Indies have fired the primary salvo, reminding everybody of their prowess within the shortest format of the sport. The stage is about for an enthralling battle among the many cricketing giants, and the West Indies have firmly established themselves as one of many groups to beat.
