Aussies clinch T20I series with six-wicket win

In one of the most devastating hitting from an opposition batsman in the Caribbean, Tim David blitzed his way to a magnificent unbeaten maiden century to lead Australia to a commanding six-wicket series sealing victory over the West Indies in the third T20 International at Warner Park in St Kitts last night.

In a high-octane T20 clash that had fans on the edge of their seats, the West Indies set a daunting target of 214, only for Australia to chase it down in just 16.1 overs, thanks to a breathtaking 102 by David.

Opting to bat first, the West Indies got off to a flying start, with Brandon King 62 off 36 and Shai Hope with a fantastic 102 not out off 57, putting on a 125-run opening stand.

King’s explosive innings included six sixes, while Hope anchored the innings with a masterful unbeaten century, laced with eight fours and six maximums. Hope became the first West Indian to score a T20I century against Australia.

Despite a brief stumble in the middle overs, Sherfane Rutherford 12 and Rovman Powell with nine kept the momentum going with a flurry of shots to push the hosts’ total to 214-4.

Australia’s bowlers struggled, with only Adam Zampa 1-51 and Mitchell Owen 1-23 managing breakthroughs.

Australia’s chase began shakily, losing Glenn Maxwell for 20 off seven balls early to a run-out and Josh Inglis 15 off six cheaply.

At 87-4 in the ninth over, the game seemed tilted in West Indies’ favour. But then came David who showed his true class and familiarity with the Caribbean conditions.

The power-hitter unleashed a brutal assault reaching 102 off just 37 balls, including 11 sixes, one of the fastest T20 centuries ever.

He found an able partner in Mitchell Owen who contributed 36 off 16, as the duo obliterated the bowling attack, sealing victory with 23 balls to spare.

The victory clinched an unassailable 3-0 lead for the visitors in the five-match series, with Man of the Match David expressing his delight at his match-winning innings.

“I was just having a great time in the middle playing for Australia. It was nice to have a period at home and get my body right. I didn’t think I would get the opportunity to get a hundred for Australia, so I’m stoked.

Losing captain Hope lamented his team’s lack of runs on a favourable batting surface.

“I don’t think we had enough runs on the board. On a pitch like that with the dimension of the ground, we know it’s going to be hard to defend. I think we fell a few runs short and with the ball we needed to pick up more wickets.”