Australia Dominates West Indies in ODI Opener at the MCG

Australia kicked off their One-Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies with a dominant performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Debutant Xavier Bartlett stole the show with his exceptional bowling, while Josh Inglis made a strong case for becoming Australia’s permanent ODI opener.

Bartlett, making his first appearance for Australia, displayed outstanding skills and took impressive figures of 4-17 from nine overs. His remarkable performance played a crucial role in bowling out the West Indies for 231 runs in 48.4 overs.

West Indies batsman Keacy Carty showed some resistance with a career-best knock of 88, but fell short of his maiden ODI century after a run-out by teammate Hayden Walsh. With the ball in hand, Sean Abbott ran Carty out at 12 runs shy of the milestone.

Australia chased down the target of 232 runs in just 38.3 overs, thanks to an impressive innings from wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. Inglis, who tested positive for Covid-19 earlier in the day, smashed a career-best 65 runs off just 43 deliveries. His innings included ten boundaries and a massive six over square leg.

Cameron Green, elevated to No. 3 in the batting order, formed an unbeaten 149-run partnership with captain Steve Smith to guide Australia to an eight-wicket victory. This marked Australia’s 18th consecutive victory over the West Indies on home soil.

Australia’s decision to field first after winning the toss paid off as Bartlett took three wickets in the opening ten overs. He dismissed West Indies opener Justin Greaves with a superb delivery that crashed into the top of off stump. Bartlett soon claimed his second wicket, sending Alick Athanaze back to the pavilion after an outswinger induced an edge to the wicketkeeper, Josh Inglis. Captain Shai Hope fell for 12 after attempting a wild slog against Bartlett.

Following a brief collapse, Carty and Roston Chase steadied the West Indies innings with a 110-run partnership, the highest fifth-wicket stand by West Indies in an away ODI against Australia. Chase scored a well-deserved half-century but was dismissed by spinner Adam Zampa. The West Indies could not recover from there, losing wickets at regular intervals and finishing with a modest total.

Australia’s run chase got off to a shaky start with Travis Head dismissed in the first over, but Josh Inglis quickly turned the momentum in Australia’s favor with his aggressive batting during the Powerplay. Inglis’s dismissal brought Green and Smith together, who guided Australia to a comfortable victory with their astute batting.

The second ODI between Australia and the West Indies will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday afternoon.