Image Credit- CA
West Indies won consolingly at Optus Stadium because
to a stunning spell from spinner Roston Chase, who followed a record
sixth-wicket stand between Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford.
After winning the toss in the third and final game,
West Indies were down to 79 for 5, but a powerful 139-run partnership between
Russell and Rutherford utterly controlled the second half of the innings.
They destroyed Australia’s attack and hit a combined
tally of 12 sixes, but a rampant David Warner, who may have played his final
international match at home, posed a threat to the West Indies’ 220 for 6.
Australia nosedived after Warner’s dismissal as they
ended the home summer on a sour note, but still recorded a 2-1 series victory.
After his attack let big totals slip in the first two
matches, captain Rovman Powell changed tactics and elected to bat first.
However, it didn’t seem to matter as the top-order of
the West Indies collapsed to 17 for 3 in the third over, unable to withstand
the extra bounce.
As anticipated, the West Indies did not retreat, as
Powell and Chase spearheaded a comeback; nonetheless, their dismissals prior to
the midway point left the tourists with well-known difficulties.
Russell was struck in the glove by a brutal left-arm
fast Spencer Johnson delivery that was so painful that Russell had to need
medical assistance. In addition to igniting him, it also spurred Rutherford,
who had begun slowly before applying pressure to reach his half-century off 33
balls. Russell, though, stole the show when the West Indies reached 200 runs
when he blasted a six off legspinner Adam Zampa in a 25-ball half-century.
Russell was hitting the ball with such force that many
fielders failed to see it as it kept flying high into the air and into the
stands.
Australia rearranged their batting order, with
Mitchell Marsh, the captain, moving up to open with Warner. However, Warner
overshadowed Marsh, who struggled to get going after a brief delivery from
Alzarri Joseph struck the grill via his shoulder.
Warner was restrained by a West Indies attack that
bowled a straight line in game two, following his explosive 70-run innings in
the first game of the series. However, they were unable to keep their
composure, and Warner took advantage by swinging hard and reaching a
half-century off only 25 balls.
The West Indies offence, which had faltered miserably
in Adelaide and Hobart, looked vulnerable to conceding their enormous score.
However, Chase proved to be a wise choice as he dominated the middle overs,
darting deliveries into Warner and Aaron Hardie, who batted at No. 3.
After Warner was out of the game, he had Josh Inglis,
who had moved from the opener to number four, end with a fantastic 2 for 19
from 4 overs with a return catch. Seafarer Romario Shepherd provided excellent
support for Chase as West Indies won handily.