‘Tried to hit six first’: Owen clubs Aussies to T20 win
Steve Larkin |
Australian T20 debutant Mitch Owen has joined rare company by cracking a game-breaking half-century in a three-wicket triumph over the West Indies.
In reply to the West Indies’ 8-189, Australia reached 7-190 to win game one of the five-match series in Jamaica with seven balls to spare.
Owen smacked six sixes in his stunning 50 from 27 balls, joining Ricky Ponting and David Warner as the only Australians to make a half-century on T20I debut.
“It’s great to join those class players,” Owen told host broadcasters.
Owen combined with an equally brutal Cameron Green (51 from 26 balls, five sixes) for the decisive partnership.
The pair were united with Australia wobbling at 4-78 in the ninth over at Sabina Park in Kingston.
Owen, who shot to prominence with a 39-ball century for the Hobart Hurricanes in last January’s BBL final, got off the mark with a six over mid-off.
“Honestly not too much changed,” Owen said of his approach to the jump to international ranks.
“I still went out there and tried to hit six first, and then work my way down.
“Obviously the only difference is five fielders out but I tried to put that to the back of my mind and just swing hard.
“Go out there and try and put the pressure back on the bowlers, and I was lucky enough I got a few away early and could settle into my innings.”
The 23-year-old and Green jointly tore into the West Indies bowlers, blasting 80 runs in less than six overs.
They took the total to 4-158 in the 15th over when Green, the ball after reaching his half-century, skied a catch.
Owen reached his half-century from 26 balls – fittingly with another six – but his memorable debut knock ended when caught at deep mid-on next ball, before Australia’s lower-order completed the chase.
The feats of Owen and Green helped cover a top-order failure with Mitch Marsh (24 from 17), Josh Inglis (18 from 8), Glenn Maxwell (11 from 10) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (2 from 7) all dismissed inside nine overs.
Earlier, the West Indies posted 8-189 with Australian paceman Ben Dwarshuis’ career-best 4-36 featuring three wickets in four balls.
Roston Chase struck 60 from 32 balls, captain Shai Hope made 55 from 39 and Shimorn Hetmyer hit a late 39 from 18.
Dwarshuis and spinner Cooper Connolly (1-24 from two overs) were the only successful bowlers inside 15 overs before the tourists rallied with 6-37 in the last five overs.
The fightback featured Dwarshuis’ triple treat in his fourth and final over, the 19th of the innings.
The West Australian took wickets on successive deliveries but his hat-trick was safely defended by Jason Holder – the West Indian was caught on the boundary next ball.
The series continues on Wednesday in Kingston before three games in St Kitts on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday (all times AEDT).
AAP
