Australia completed their fourth win in Group 1 with another dominating performance over West Indies, boosting their chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. However, they will still have to count on the England-South Africa match later at night.
The Australian bowlers bowled well to set up the match for their batters. A 124-runs partnership between David Warner and Mitchell Marsh then ensured an eight-wicket win. This match remained also special for Dwayne Bravo who had announced his retirement ahead of this match. And while he specifically did not mention it, the match may also be Chris Gayle's swansong.
Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bowl first at Abu Dhabi. Australia went with an unchanged XI, while West Indies replaced Ravi Rampaul with Hayden Walsh Jr.
Gayle and Evin Lewis started well, and Josh Hazlewood’s first over went for 20. Gayle, batting in shades, hit two towering sixes, but his innings was short-lived as he played on to Pat Cummins. He returned in characteristic fashion, bat held aloft, helmet perched atop, amidst tumultuous applause.
Hazlewood came back well, picking up Nicolas Pooran and Roston Chase in his second over to suddenly reduce the West Indies to 35/3. Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer added 35 until Adam Zampa claimed the former for 29. Hetmyer could not replicate his heroics from the last match, and became Hazlewood’s third victim for 27.
Kieron Pollard scored 44, adding 35 runs with Bravo (10). Andre Russell blazed away to a 7-ball 18 not out, signing off with two sixes off the last two balls, to help West Indies reach 157/7. Hazlewood finished with 4-39.
West Indies started with spinners at both ends. Akeal Hossain and Roston Chase opened bowling against Warner and Finch. Akeal dismissed Finch for 9 to provide some hope for both West Indian and South African fans. However, the in-form Warner played some impeccable shots as Mitchell Marsh kept him company. Warner completed his fifty off 29 balls.
Marsh took 16 runs off the 10th over, bowled by Russell, as Australia raced to 98/1 after 10 overs, and 150 by the 15th over. Bravo’s last over in international cricket went for 17, including a six and a four to Warner.
With Australia requiring just 8 runs, Gayle bowled the 16th over for West Indies, had Marsh caught with the last ball, and promptly hugged Marsh. Was it the Universe Boss's last act in international cricket? One wonders.
Warner required two more balls to complete the chase for Australia and was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 89.
Brief scores: West Indies 157/7 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 44; Josh Hazlewood 4-39) lost to Australia 161/2 in 16.2 overs (David Warner 89*; Chris Gayle 1-7) by 8 wickets with 22 balls to spare. Player of the Match: David Warner.