A 93-run sixth-wicket partnership between Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder in Barbados led West Indies to a four-wicket win over Australia to level the ODI series, in the match that was delayed two days after due to the Covid-19 scare.
Chasing 188, West Indies were left reeling at 72/5. Pooran and Holder then came to the rescue and wrapped up the victory with 12 overs to spare.
The toss result from 48 hours ago was retained. Batting first, Australia lost Ben McDermott for nought in the opening over, to Sheldon Cottrell. Josh Philippe (16) and Mitchell Marsh (8) did not last either as, and they slipped to 45/6 in 12.4 overs.
It was Akeal Hosein (3-30) who picked up three wickets in six balls to trigger a collapse. In this period, he ran through Australia middle order, featuring Moises Henriques (4), Alex Carey (10) and Ashton Turner (1) to give West Indies a healthy advantage.
Still, that was not the end for Australia. Matthew Wade (36) and Mitchell Starc (19) steadied the ship, adding 51 before Hayden Walsh Jr trapped Starc leg before. Adam Zampa (36) and Wes Agar (41) then shared another 59 for the ninth wicket.
Australia added 142 for the last four wickets before being bowled out for 187 in 47.1 overs. Alzarri Joseph (3-39) hit the final blow for West Indies by dismissing Agar, who replaced Josh Hazlewood after the toss.
West Indies did not get off to their best of starts as Starc’s fiery opening spell removed both Evin Lewis (1) and Darren Bravo inside three overs. Spinners Zampa and Turner dismissed the next three batters – Jason Mohammed (11), Shai Hope (38) and Kieron Pollard (2) – to keep Australia in the contest. They got all of them in 15 overs before the Holder-Pooran show began.
By the time Starc pinned Holder (52) for leg before, there was not much contest left. West Indies needed just 23 at that point. Joseph (5*) hung around with Pooran (59*) till the end before they reached the target with 72 balls to spare.
The two sides will meet for the one last time in the tour on 27 July, for the decider.
Brief scores: Australia 187 in 47.1 overs (Wes Agar 41; Akeal Hosein 3-30) lost to West Indies 191/6 in 38 overs (Nicholas Pooran 69*; Mitchell Starc 3-26) by 4 wickets with 72 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Nicholas Pooran.