Rain has played a massive role in the T20 World Cup warm-up matches so far in the USA and the West Indies. However, when the Caribbean side locked horns against Australia on May 31 (Friday) at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain in Trinidad, it rained sixes. A grand total of 479 runs were scored in 40 overs with only 11 wickets falling while 31 maximums were hit.
After being invited to bat first, West Indies faced an early setback as Shai Hope was dismissed cheaply. But that was merely the calm before the storm. Nicholas Pooran, batting at number three, teed off right from the word go, launching an all-out assault on the Australian bowlers. Pooran’s audacious innings accounted for 75 runs off just 25 deliveries, featuring five boundaries and eight towering sixes. His blistering performance was part of a crucial 90-run partnership with Johnson Charles, who played a supporting role.
The carnage didn’t halt with Pooran’s departure. Skipper Rovman Powell took the baton and exhibited his hitting skills, scoring 52 runs off 25 balls before being dismissed by Tim David. Powell’s aggressive innings consisted of four sixes and three fours, further inflating the West Indies’ score. Pooran’s and Powell’s exploits turned the game into an extraordinary spectacle for fans and a nightmare for the Australian bowlers.
Australia chose to play with nine players during the match, just as they did against Namibia. This unusual decision saw their coach and chief selector stepping onto the field. Predictably, their bowling attack suffered. Heavyweight bowlers were taken to cleaners with astonishing ease. Adam Zampa, who usually maintains a tight economy rate, conceded 62 runs in his four-over spell. Josh Hazlewood and Ashton Agar were not spared either, leaking 55 and 58 runs respectively in their four-over quotas.
However, the pain for Australia did not end there. Sherfane Rutherford added salt to their wounds, amassing 47 runs off a mere 18 balls. His brutal onslaught included four boundaries and an equal number of sixes.
. Thanks to these powerful performances, the West Indies posted a mammoth 257 runs at the end of their 20 overs, setting an imposing target that few teams could hope to chase.
In response, Australia needed to start strongly, and they did just that. Reaching 60 runs in less than five overs, the Australians were aggressive from the get-go. However, they paid a price for their aggression by losing their top three batters in quick succession. Despite these setbacks, they continued to fight bravely.
The only substantial contribution came from Josh Inglis, who tried to anchor the innings and lead the chase. Inglis scored a fighting 55 runs, putting up a significant but ultimately futile resistance. Batting further down the order, Nathan Ellis added a defiant 39 runs off 22 balls. His courageous innings included four boundaries and a six.
Yet, the fate of the match seemed clear. Reduced to playing with nine men, Australia’s efforts were gallant but insufficient. They managed to reach 222 runs in their 20 overs for the loss of seven wickets. In their context, it was a notable effort, but it fell short of what was required to chase down the towering target set by the West Indies.
Despite the loss, the Australians could take heart from their fighting spirit and moments of individual brilliance. The nine-player tactic, though risky, did not result in an utter collapse and offered their management useful insights.
On the other hand, the West Indies would be elated by their formidable performance. With the T20 World Cup looming, this victory serves as a massive confidence booster. Seeing their players hit the straps and deliver such powerful performances is an encouraging sign for Caribbean cricket fans.
While rain had been a disrupting factor in earlier warm-up matches, this match saw a different type of storm—one where sixes rained down and records trembled. Both teams will use the lessons learned from this high-scoring encounter as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the T20 World Cup. The stage is now set for more fireworks, and both sides will look to refine their strategies and performances moving forward.
