West Indies set imposing run chase for Aussies in T20
Steve Larkin |
Powered by a half-centuries from Roston Chase and Shai Hope, West Indies have set Australia 190 runs to win the series-opening T20 clash in Jamaica.
West Indies posted 8-189 with Chase blasting 60 from 32 balls and captain Hope making 55 from 39 at Sabina Park in Kingston.
Australia paceman Ben Dwarshuis collected 4-36, including three lower-order batsmen in four balls in the penultimate over.
Chase and Hope featured in an 89-run partnership for the second wicket as Australia’s bowlers failed to make inroads.
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.
Debutant Mitch Owen (1-14) took a wicket in his first and only over, Nathan Ellis claimed 1-31 and Adam Zampa returned 0-30 from four overs.
West Indies openers Brandon King and Hope took 32 runs from the initial three overs from pacemen Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott (1-40).
Australia captain Mitch Marsh then turned to spin and Connolly delivered a wicket with his second ball.
The left-armer beat an advancing King (18 from 12 balls) who was stumped by Josh Inglis.
Chase then joined Hope and their partnership flourished – from 1-56 after six overs, they reached 1-123 in the 13th over.
But Chase’s fine knock – he reached his half-century from 25 balls and hit two sixes and nine fours – ended when caught from the bowling of Dwarshuis.
Three overs later, Australia’s Owen dismissed Hope, caught in the deep, with his third delivery in a T20 international.
Shimron Hetmyer (36 from 16 balls) continued momentum before Dwarshuis took wickets with consecutive deliveries in the 19th over.
His hat-trick delivery was safely defended by Jason Holder but the West Indian was caught on the boundary next ball.
AAP
