'Dre Russ' aka the Andre Russell's retirement party was dampened by Australia's dominating display at Sabina Park, Jamaica as they won the match by eight wickets to take 2-0 lead in the five-T20I series. Russell entertained the crowd with big hits in his 15-ball 36 cameo, helping West Indies post 172/8. Josh Inglis' unbeaten 33-ball 78 and Chris Green's second fifty on the trot made short work of the target as they got over the line with 28 balls to spare.
King hits fifty
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first. West Indies did not get off to a blazing start and had 24 runs on the board after four overs. Brandon King decided to take on Matthew Kuhnemann and smashed him for two sixes and as many fours. After powerplay overs, West Indies were 49 for no loss. King reached his 12th T20I fifty from 33 balls. In the same over, he lost his wicket to Adam Zampa for a 36-ball 51, featuring three fours and four sixes. In the next over, Glenn Maxwell was introduced and he delivered with captain Shai Hope's wicket. West Indies were 72/2 at the halfway stage.
Another West Indies batting collapse but Russell shines
In his next over, Maxwell dismissed Shimron Hetmyer as well. He scored 14 runs from 10 balls. After two boundaryless overs, Roston Chase smashed Zampa for a six, only to get bowled next ball for a run-a-ball 16. In the same over, Sherfane Rutherford departed as well. With West Indies 5 for 98, Russell walked out to the middle. He rolled back the clock by whacking Ben Dwarshuis for three sixes in the 15th over. In Zampa's last over, he hit a four and a six. Nathan Ellis came back into the attack and ended Russell's dreamy knock. He scored 36 runs from 15 balls in his final international appearance. Dwarshuis returned to dismiss Jason Holder. Ellis got former skipper Rovman Powell's wicket in penultimate over but conceded 16 runs. Gudakesh motie's nine-ball 18 took West Indies to 172/8.
Dropped catches cost West Indies
Maxwell walked out to open the innings with Marsh. But, the move did not last long. He departed for a 10-ball 12 to Jason Holder. In the sixth over, Marsh lost his wicket to Alzarri Joseph. He scored 21 runs from 17 balls. Australia were 45/2 after the powerplay overs. In the seventh over, Inglis and Green got reprieves as their catches were dropped. They made West Indies pay for the dropped catches. At the halfway stage, Australia were 95/2. In the 12th over, Inglis hit Russell for a six and two fours. He reached his fifty from just 22 balls. In the next over, another catch was dropped. The onslaught continued and Green reached his half-century from 28 balls. On the second ball of the 16th over, Australia achieved the target.
Inglis scored 78 runs from 33 balls, featuring seven fours and five sixes. Green's unbeaten 32-ball 56 was laced with three fours and four sixes. Australia have taken a 2-0 lead in the five-T20I series. The remaining three T20Is of the series will be played at Warner Park, St Kitts. The next T20I will be played on July 25.