After a sensational Test win in Gabba, West Indies were outclassed by Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series. Steve Smith-led Australia beat West Indies by eight wickets with 69 balls to spare after debutant pacer Xavier Bartlett wreaked havoc with an economical four-wicket haul at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Smith won the toss and opted to field first. Bartlett struck with the third ball of his ODI career to send Justin Greaves back to the dressing room. In his next over, he managed to force an edge off Alick Athanaze's bat. He continued to ask questions with the new ball. In the fifth over his spell, he lured skipper Shai Hope to play away from his body. Hope edged one to first slip fielder Matthew Short. Cameron Green was introduced into the attack and in his second over, he got the wicket of Kavem Hodge. West Indies were reduced to 59/4 in the 16th over.
Keacy Carty and Roston Chase did damage control in the middle overs. In the 31st over, Carty reached his half-century from 82 balls. He started accelerating after reaching his second ODI century. In the 35th over, Chase completed his half-century with a boundary. It looked like West Indies are setting up for a fighting total but then Chase got bowled by Zampa in the 37th over. He scored 59 runs from 67 balls including seven fours.
Carty was on his way to century but Hayden Walsh called for a non-existent single. Sean Abbott's direct hit caught him short of the crease and Carty had to go back to the dressing room frustrated. He scored 88 runs from 108 balls including six fours and a couple of sixes. Green returned into the attack and got Romario Shepherd lbw for a golden duck. Green would have got the wicket of Hayden Walsh in his next over but his catch was dropped. After a four and a six, Matthew Forde became Abbott's first victim of the day.
Bartlett returned to the attack and dismissed Gukesh Motie. In the penultimate over, Abbott dismissed Walsh as West Indies were bowled out for 231. Bartlett conceded just 17 runs from his nine overs, picked up four wickets, and bowled a maiden as well. Bartlett’s 4/17 is the second-best bowling figures by an Australian bowler on ODI debut.
In the run chase, Australia faced an early blow as Forde got rid of Travis Head for a single-digit score. Josh Inglis took advantage of fielding restrictions. In the sixth over, Inglis hit Oshane Thomas for a couple of fours and a six. In the next over, the wicketkeeper-batter hit Forde for three fours. He reached his half-century from just 28 balls in the seventh over. In the 12th over, left-arm spinner Motie got the breakthrough in the form of Inglis. The opener scored 65 runs from 43 balls including 10 fours and a six.
After Inglis' wicket, Green took the attacking approach and hit Motie and Shepherd for one six each. Smith was not troubled by West Indies bowlers. In the 26th over, Green reached his half-century from 61 balls. A few overs later, Smith reached his half-century from 58 deliveries. West Indies bowlers could not break the partnership as Australia got over the line with eight wickets in hand and 11.3 overs to spare. Green's 77 from 104 deliveries featured four fours and a couple of sixes. On the other end, Smith remained unbeaten for a run-a-ball 79 including eight fours.
“Amazing way to start, amazing to contribute to a win. Couldn’t ask for much more, lucky it hit the stumps (on his first wicket). Been working on it for a few years, built up courage to bowl it and lucky it came off (on the outswinger). Was great to build some confidence at the Brisbane Heat, very happy to be here. Watched Steve Smith on TV for the last 10 years, to be out there now and be captained by him now is quite surreal,” ‘Player of the match’ Bartlett said in the post-match presentation.
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