Maxwell shines in Adelaide run fest
GLENN Maxwell has blasted Australia to an unassailable 2-0 series lead against the West Indies, on the back of his record-equalling fifth T20I ton last night. The Victorian was dynamic as ever at number four, notching an unbeaten 120 (55) to spearhead his side’s 34-run victory.
Sent in to bat at Adelaide Oval, the hosts posted their third-highest ever T20 score (4-241) to ensure the Windies would have to produce the biggest chase on Aussie shores for victory. It would also have been the tourists’ highest-ever total batting second in the format.
What unfolded was a run fest in front of nearly 20,000 enthralled fans, with a tick under 450 runs piled on within the full allotment of 40 overs. The game would have ended slightly earlier if not for a bizarre non-runout where Australian fielders failed to appeal a clear dismissal of Alzarri Joseph.
The West Indian response featured plenty of power hitting in the face of constant wickets, headlined by brutal digs from skipper Rovman Powell (63 off 36) and Andre Russell (37 off 16). Jason Holder joined in on the action late on, finishing unbeaten with 28 off 16 deliveries.
The Powell-Russell partnership was formed with the Windies battling at 5-63 in the seventh over, with their efforts bringing life to a doomed chase. While it never really looked close, the travelling side would have been pleased to bat out the overs and post over 200 runs, finishing 9-207.
Home town hero Spencer Johnson made good on his berth in the side, claiming 2-39 as all five Aussie bowlers landed in the wickets column. Josh Hazlewood (2-31) was relatively economical amid the prolific boundaries, while Marcus Stoinis broke through with a handy 3-36.
Earlier, Joseph was the lone West Indian bowler to go at under 10 runs an over, taking 1-31 as the Australian batters dined out. Along with Maxwell, captain Mitch Marsh (29 off 12) and Tim David (31* off 14) put together exciting cameos to boost the total.
With the series going Australia’s way, the third and final T20 match will be played at Perth Stadium tomorrow night. It marks the end of the Aussie summer of cricket, which yielded an overall 4-1 Test record, 3-0 clean sweep in the ODIs, and potentially another in the T20s.
SCORECARD
RESULT: Australia def. West Indies by 34 runs.
POTM: Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
West Indies won the toss & elected to bowl.
AUSTRALIA 4-241 (20)
Glenn Maxwell 120* (55), Tim David 31* (14), Mitch Marsh 29 (12)
Jason Holder 2-42 (4), Alzarri Joseph 1-31 (4), Romario Shepherd 1-48 (4)
WEST INDIES 9-207 (20)
Rovman Powell 63 (36), Andre Russell 37 (16), Jason Holder 28* (16)
Marcus Stoinis 3-36 (4), Josh Hazlewood 2-31 (4), Spencer Johnson 2-39 (4)
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