West Indies suffered another comprehensive defeat at the hands of Australia as they were bowled out for 86 and the target was chased down in just 6.5 overs. Defending a total of 86, Alzarri Joseph opened the bowling for the visitors. After conceding 11 runs in his first over, he was hit for two consecutive fours by Australia's 21-year-old batting sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk. After going for runs early on in the innings, Joseph was not happy with Fraser-McGurk charging down the track and trying to hit him over the leg side.
As the third over came to an end and Fraser-McGurk walked to his opening partner Josh Inglis, Joseph had a few words for the youngster.
Fraser-McGurk went berserk in the next over and hit Matthew Forde for a couple of fours and sixes. While West Indies lost the match by eight wickets, Joseph got the consolation wicket. In the fifth over, Fraser-McGurk hit Joseph for two consecutive fours again before losing his wicket.
On the third ball of the fifth over, Fraser-McGurk went for the pull shot. He could only manage a top edge which went to mid-on fielder Gudakesh Motie. The opener scored 41 runs from 18 balls including five fours and three sixes.
Joseph conceded 30 runs from the three overs he bowled. Oshane Thomas was introduced into the attack and he delivered with the wicket of Aaron Hardie. In the seventh over, skipper Steve Smith scored a couple of runs to get Australia over the line. Wicketkeeper-batter Inglis remained unbeaten for 35 off 16 balls including four fours and a six.
The explosive batter was happy with his performance in his debut ODI series. He intends to be aggressive in powerplay overs and then bat according to the situation.
“It's good to be able to have some self-belief if I get picked again. Was nice to know I could do it at the highest level. That's the way I've gone about it this year, that's the change of mindset and it's given me freedom. You can't go out there and do that by yourself, you need the backing of the coaches and I've had that. Tried to work on getting my head towards the ball, didn't really get many balls in the same place today but really happy to go out there and get 40 today. You just try to make use of the powerplay and then do whatever the team needs,” he told the broadcasters after Australia completed a 3-0 whitewash.
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