Xavier Bartlett Shines as Australia Secures 1-0 Lead Over West Indies in ODI Series
Bartlett helped Australia bowl West Indies for 231, meanwhile, the batters chased the target with a loss of only two wickets in 38.3 overs to earn the 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Australian skipper Steve Smith opted to field first after winning the toss and the decision bore fruits as West Indies slipped to 37-3 inside 10 overs.
Bartlett struck on his third ball, castling Justin Greaves (1), followed by the wicket of Alick Athanaze (5) in his next over.
West Indian skipper Shai Hope also fell prey to Bartlett before Chris Green dismissed Kavem Hodge reducing the Caribbean side to 59-4.
Keacy Carty and Roston Chase then joined hands to get their side out of the trouble with an anchoring 110-run stand, scoring their half-centuries in the process.
Adam Zampa rattled Chase’s stumps, who attempted a sweep but failed which gave the hosts a much-needed breakthrough.
Chase played an anchoring 59-run innings in 67 balls with the help of seven boundaries.
Meanwhile, Carty, who top-scored for West Indies was also dismissed soon afterwards courtesy of a run-out after scoring 88 off 108, featuring six boundaries and two sixes.
Hayden Walsh (20) and Matthew Forde (19) were the only notable contributors among the lower order as Australian bowlers wrapped the innings at 231 in 48.4 overs.
Bartlett led the bowling charts with impressive figures of 4-17, supported by Sean Abbott and Green, who picked two wickets each.
In response, Australia lost opening batter Travis Head in the first over as he got caught behind off Forde.
Played the Game with COVID Protocols
Josh Inglis, who played the game with COVID protocols, was joined by Cameron Green in a one-sided partnership of 79 runs from 64 balls, with Inglis quickly scoring the bulk of runs.
Gudakesh Motie finally ended Inglis’ blistering innings as Athanze caught him after the batter ballooned the reverse hit.
Inglis went back to the pavilion after the DRS call, concluding his quickfire 65-run knock from 43 balls, which included ten boundaries and one six.
Smith then joined hands with Green and together they helped their side cross the finishing line with an unbeaten partnership of 149 runs.
Smith scored a run-a-ball 79, featuring eight boundaries, while Green scored a solid 77 off 104 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes.
For West Indies, Forde and Motie managed to take a wicket each.
Xavier Bartlett was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant bowling performance.
