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Australia completed a dominant 5-0 clean sweep over West Indies in the T20I series, chasing down a target of 171 in just 17 overs during the fifth and final match held in St. Kitts on July 28.
Tim David and Mitchell Owen led Australia’s powerful batting display, smashing a total of seven sixes between them to take the game away from the hosts. The series featured the second-highest number of sixes ever hit in a bilateral T20I series, reflecting the batting dominance on display.
Aaron Hardie finished the chase calmly after Akeal Hosein’s tight bowling briefly raised West Indies’ hopes. Earlier, Mitchell Marsh won the toss for the fifth time in the series and elected to field. Australia made early breakthroughs, removing three batters inside the powerplay to put West Indies under pressure.
Shimron Hetmyer and Jason Holder stitched a 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Hetmyer scoring his first T20I fifty since August 2023. However, he was dismissed on the very next ball, halting any chance of momentum for West Indies.
Nathan Ellis impressed again at the death, including a sharp run-out off his own bowling, while Adam Zampa marked his 100th T20I with a wicket — becoming only the fourth Australian men’s cricketer to reach that milestone.
Australia’s chase got off to a shaky start as Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph removed key batters early, including captain Marsh. But Tim David responded with a quickfire 30 off just 12 balls, hitting four sixes to shift the momentum in Australia’s favour.
Joseph’s injury later in the innings weakened West Indies’ bowling attack further, and although Hosein bowled a tidy spell, there weren’t enough runs on the board to defend.
Ben Dwarshuis made a strong case for his place in the team with three wickets, including the important dismissal of Hetmyer. His final over went for 19 runs, but the damage had already been done.
Glenn Maxwell had a night to forget, dropping a catch and getting out for a golden duck, but he managed to take the key wicket of Sherfane Rutherford, who had threatened to change the game with a 35 off 17 balls.
Australia kept attacking even after losing wickets. Josh Inglis tried a reverse scoop and was caught, while Marsh was undone by a good ball from Joseph. David kept the pressure on before falling to a mistimed shot, but Mitchell Owen picked up where he left off, smashing big sixes — including one that landed on the stadium roof.
Owen was dismissed by Hosein, and Cameron Green — who was named Player of the Series — fell with 30 runs still needed. However, Hardie guided Australia home without further drama.
This win capped off a one-sided series, with Australia showcasing their depth and power in both batting and bowling departments.
