T20 World Cup | AUS vs WI: David Warner demolishes West Indies bowling to etch convincing win

Australia’s clinical performance against West Indies put them in front giving the side a genuine chance for making a qualification in the semis of the T20 World Cup. Chasing 158, the Australian team rode on some fine pieces of batting from David Warner and Mitchell Marsh to go over the line by 8 wickets and in just 16.2 overs in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. 

Australia were off to a decent start after captain Aaron Finch and Warner put 33 runs on the board for the first wicket before the skipper departed for 9 off 11. Marsh then replaced Finch in the middle and he along with Warner took on the charge and stitched a stand of 124 runs for the second wicket. Both the batsmen went on to notch up individual fifties during the course. 

Marsh was eventually undone by Chris Gayle after he was caught for 53 off 32 but it was too late as the Australians just needed one more run to win which they eventually did. Warner remained unbeaten at 89 off 56. 

Earlier, West Indies didn’t really have a good start as they lost wickets at regular intervals to get reduced to 91/5 but it was captain Kieron Pollard who held the fort from one end and scored a 31-ball 44. 

Later, Andre Russell who had been struggling with the form also chipped in with a quick-fire 18 off 7 that included a couple of maximums to help the side put 157/7 in 20 overs. 

For Australia, it was Josh Hazlewood who scalped a four-wicket haul at the cost of 39 runs in 4 overs. 

This was the final match for the defending champions West Indies in this edition of the T20 World Cup and with the conclusion of the tournament, all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has also bid adieu to international cricket and most likely it was the final game for Chris Gayle as well in West Indies colours. 

Australia captain Finch talked about Bravo and his contributions. 

“Now we have to wait for the South Africa game, We can hold our head high if it doesn't go our way. We have won four games out of five. What a super player (Dwayne Bravo). Had the pleasure of playing with him as well. What a super, super competitor,” Finch said during the post-match presentation. 

Pollard admitted that it was a disappointing tournament for the Caribbean side. “We could have done better with the fielding as well. Overall we weren't good enough. But for me, it's the end of a generation/era where you have some guys who have done some good things for T20 cricket, not only in the Caribbean but around the world. 

Sometimes one tournament you don't want to sum up the entire thing when it comes to that but rationally these guys have done pretty well for themselves and we as people are very, very proud,” Pollard said.