West Indies will again face Australia on 11 July, in the second T20I at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia. West Indies have already taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The two sides met on 10 July to get the series underway. Nicholas Pooran led the West Indies in the absence of Kieron Pollard. Barring Andre Russell, the star-studded batting line-up, featuring Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer and Pooran failed against the Aussie bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood (4-1-12-3), after being invited to bat. West Indies were left reeling at 65/4 at one stage.
Russell got a lifeline from Moises Henriques when he was batting on 5. He made full use of it by bringing up his maiden T20I fifty. Before being bowled by Hazlewood, Russell smashed three fours and five sixes in his 28-ball 51. Still, West Indies finished on 145/6, a total that was never challenging to any top cricket side in the world.
Coming to chase, Matthew Wade (33 in 14) got Australia off to a rousing start. Mitchell Marsh (51 in 31) then joined the party to take his side to 108/4 at halfway mark.
The West Indies bowlers began the comeback from the 11th over. Obed McCoy (4-24) and Hayden Walsh Jr (3-23) took charge to trigger a collapse. Australia lost their last six wickets for 19 runs in 5.3 overs as they were bowled out for 127 in 16 overs.
West Indies never looked favourites in the first T20I until the last half an hour of play. They will not be ahead on paper in the second game either. None of their middle-order batters has been among the runs since the South Africa tour.
In the absence of Steven Smith, David Warner and Pat Cummins, Marsh, Wade and Hazlewood impressed in the opening encounter as their backups. But Aaron Finch needs to lead from the front in the second game if Australia want to level the series.
Head to Head
West Indies have played Australia 12 times. They have won seven and lost five. They have met five times in the Caribbean. West Indies are edging past Australia 3-2 here.
Probable XIs
West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh Jr, Fidel Edwards, Obed McCoy
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Philippe, Ashton Turner, Moises Henriques, Ashton Agar, Daniel Christian, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa.
Prediction
Australia to win the contest and level the series.