The Australia vs West Indies 2nd T20I was more than just another game. It turned into an emotional evening at Sabina Park, as it marked the final international match of West Indies superstar Andre Russell. While fans came to cheer their hero, it was Australia who stole the spotlight with a dominating performance and sealed the T20I series 2-0.
To begin with, the West Indies won the toss and decided to bat. Their innings started with promise. Brandon King gave the team a good start by scoring 51 runs off 36 balls. However, once he got out, the middle order couldn’t carry the momentum.
As the innings went on, wickets continued to tumble at consistent intervals. But then came Andre Russell. He entered the ground to loud cheers and applause. In what was his last match for West Indies, Russell didn’t disappoint. He smashed a quick 36 runs from just 15 balls, which included two fours and three massive sixes. Thanks to his impressive late fireworks, the West Indies managed to score a total of 172 runs for 8 wickets in their 20 overs.
On the bowling side, Australia was once again clinical. Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 29 runs. Alongside him, Glenn Maxwell bowled economically and grabbed 2 wickets for just 15 runs. Nathan Ellis also played a key role by taking 2 wickets and keeping the pressure on the batters. Their efforts restricted the West Indies from posting an even bigger total.
In the second innings, Australia came out to chase the target with full confidence. They lost two early wickets, but that didn’t slow them down. Soon after, Josh Inglis and Cameron Green took control of the game.
Inglis delivered one of his finest T20I performances, racking up an impressive 78 runs from just 33 balls. He unleashed a flurry of 7 fours and 5 sixes, leaving the bowlers scrambling to find their rhythm. Meanwhile, Green was a fantastic partner, contributing a brisk 56 runs off 32 balls.
Together, they added an unbeaten 131-run partnership for the third wicket. As a result, Australia chased the target in just 15.2 overs, winning the match by 8 wickets with 28 balls remaining.
West Indies Innings (172/8 in 20 ov)
| Players | Run | Ball | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Brandon King (c) | 51 | 36 | 3 | 4 | 141.67 |
| Shai Hope (c & wk) | 9 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 69.23 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 14 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 140 |
| Roston Chase | 16 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 100 |
| Rovman Powell | 12 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Sherfane Rutherford | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Andre Russell (farewell) | 36 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 240 |
| Jason Holder | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Gudakesh Motie (not out) | 18 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 200 |
| Alzarri Joseph (not out) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Extras (b2, lb3, w8) | 13 | – | – | – | – |
| Total: 172/8 (20.0 ov) | – | – | – | – | – |
Australia’s Bowling Figures:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Adam Zampa | 4 | 29 | 3 | 7.25 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 2 | 15 | 2 | 7.5 |
| Nathan Ellis | 4 | 34 | 2 | 8.5 |
| Ben Dwarshuis | 4 | 37 | 1 | 9.25 |
| Matthew Kuhnemann (debut) | 4 | 33 | 0 | 8.25 |
| Cooper Connolly | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Australia Innings (173/2 in 15.2 ov)
| Players | Run | Ball | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Glenn Maxwell | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 120 |
| Mitchell Marsh (c) | 21 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 123.53 |
| Josh Inglis (†) | 78* | 33 | 7 | 5 | 236.36 |
| Cameron Green | 56* | 32 | 3 | 4 | 175 |
| Extras (lb1, w5) | 6 | – | – | – | – |
| Total: 173/2 (15.2 ov) | – | – | – | – | – |
West Indies Bowling Figures:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Jason Holder | 3 | 28 | 1 | 9.33 |
| Alzarri Joseph | 3 | 50 | 1 | 16.67 |
| Gudakesh Motie | 3 | 33 | 0 | 11 |
| Roston Chase | 1.2 | 14 | 0 | 10.5 |
| Andre Russell (farewell) | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| Akeal Hosein | 4 | 31 | 0 | 7.75 |
Even though the West Indies didn’t come out on top in the match, the highlight of the evening was definitely Andre Russell’s farewell. Before the game, he received a guard of honour from both teams, and the crowd cheered for every moment he was on the field.
His final innings reminded everyone why he was such a special player. Even though his team couldn’t win, Russell’s powerful hitting and positive energy made it a memorable match for fans around the world.
With this win, Australia now leads the 5-match T20I series 2-0. Their batting looks strong, and their bowling has been sharp. The West Indies need to improve their fielding and bolster their middle-order batting if they want to turn things around in the upcoming matches.
In conclusion, the Australia vs West Indies 2nd T20I was a mix of powerful cricket, emotional moments, and a brilliant farewell for a legend. While Russell said goodbye to international cricket, Australia celebrated another commanding victory. Fans can now look forward to more exciting action in the upcoming games.
