Team Lineups
Australia made two changes to their team that won easily in the second game at the SCG. Xavier Bartlett was back in the team after shining on his debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the first game of the series. Lance Morris who had a different type of debut in the same game was back after sitting out the second match of the series. Ben McDermott was back in the Australian squad after remaining out of the action with an injury problem. The new IPL hero Spencer Johnson was also given a berth in the Australian squad. Both players did not get a place on the team though.
West Indies made one change to the team which was humbled in the second game of the series. Justin Greaves was omitted from the team after failing to make an impression in the second game. 21 year old Grenadian batter Teddy Bishop made his international debut in this game. Bishop is a top order batter who has impressed the selectors due to his form in the domestic cricket circuit.
Australia
- 1. Jake Fraser-McGurk 2. Josh Inglis (WK) 3. Aaron Hardie 4. Steve Smith (Cap.) 5. Marnus Labuschagne 6. Cameron Green 7. Will Sutherland 8. Sean Abbott 9. Xavier Bartlett 10. Adam Zampa 11. Lance Morris
West Indies
- 1. Alick Athanaze 2. Kjorn Ottley 3. Keacy Carty 4. Shai Hope (Cap.) (WK) 5. Teddy Bishop 6. Roston Chase 7. Romario Shepherd 8. Matthew Forde 9. Alzarri Joseph 10. Gudakesh Motie 11. Oshane Thomas
Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bowl first. The playing surface at the Manuka Oval offers assistance to batters. However, the pacers can extract early movement off the surface with the new ball. Until this game, there have been 18 ODI games played at this ground so far. The teams batting first have won the majority with 14 wins. The teams batting second have won on only 4 occasions. The average first innings score at Manuka Oval is 276. There have been seven 300+ scores at this ground. South Africa scored 411 runs at this ground.
Fixture
This is the first series where Australia is playing ODI cricket after their World Cup final win against India in November. The Aussies are enjoying a hot streak with eleven wins on the bounce. The West Indies on the other hand, have only managed two wins in their last ten outings. However, they performed impressively last December to claim a 2-1 series victory against England. The two most successful nations in ODI cricket have clashed on 145 previous occasions. Six time World Cup winners Australia have the upper hand with 78 wins to 61 West Indian victories. Three games did not yield any results, with three ties in the mix.
In the games played on Australian soil, the hosts have won 43 games. The Windies are not far behind with 35 wins. In the last meeting between the two sides before this series, Australia beat the hosts by six wickets to claim a 2-1 series win back in July 2021
| Venue | The Dettol ODI series was finished at the Manuka Oval in the Australian capital of Canberra. |
| Date | The game started at 9:30 a.m. IST on Tuesday, February 6. |
Captaincy & Tactics
The Australians were trying to make it 12 wins in a raw since their last defeat against South Africa at the World Cup. Steve Smith’s decision of choosing to bat first might have raised a few eyebrows initially. But his bowlers, especially Xavier Bartlett made the most of the existing conditions. Bartlett made life difficult for the Windies batters with the ball swinging away from the right handers. The fast bowler also maintained an excellent line, pitching the ball in the corridor of uncertainty on 68% occasions.
Lance Morris also showed why he has been spending most of his time around the national side. The right arm pacer has raw pace mixed with vicious bouncers. He can also deliver toe crushing yorkers during the death overs. Jake Fraser-McGurk would be a joy to watch once he settles in with the Australian squad. The right possesses nimble footwork mixed with strong wrists which allow him to launch the ball powerfully towards the leg side boundary.
Australia’s top order showed promise with several players making starts but failing to convert them into substantial scores. Abbott’s aggressive batting in the closing stages, including striking consecutive sixes, provided the team with much-needed momentum. Despite the spinners from West Indies causing difficulties, Abbott’s onslaught helped Australia post a competitive total.
In the second innings, Australia’s bowlers made early inroads with Aaron Hardie and Hazlewood taking crucial wickets. Abbott’s all-round contribution continued as he picked up a key wicket to keep the pressure on West Indies. The spin resources for Australia were limited after Matt Short’s injury, putting more responsibility on Adam Zampa.
Debutants Jake Fraser-McGurk and Sutherland added a fresh dynamic to the Australian team. Fraser-McGurk’s aggressive yet short-lived innings left an impact, while Sutherland’s all-round skills proved valuable. The selectors managed player workload by resting Xavier Bartlett and Lance Morris after their debuts in the previous match.
Batting Analysis
Fraser-McGurk’s explosive 41 runs off just 18 balls truly electrified the crowd and ensured a quick victory for Australia before 6pm. With his blazing knock that included five fours and three sixes, the 21-year-old opener left the audience in awe. The support from Josh Inglis, who scored an unbeaten 35 off 16 balls, added to the spectacle as Australia achieved their target in just 41 deliveries, setting a record for their shortest successful chase in one-day internationals.
The match kicked off with Australia winning the toss and opting to bowl. Xavier Bartlett, continuing his sensational debut performance, struck early by dismissing Kjorn Ottley in his second over. Ottley could have survived had he reviewed the decision, as there was an inside edge involved. The visiting team struggled as Alick Athanaze and Keacy Carty tried to stabilize the innings but faced a setback when Carty was caught brilliantly by Marnus Labuschagne off Lance Morris’s bowling.
The momentum continued in Australia’s favor as Bartlett and Morris showcased fantastic bowling performances, with Bartlett taking 4-21 to complete a dream start to his international career. His tally of eight wickets in his first two ODIs surpassed the record set by Carl Rackemann back in 1983. The partnership between Fraser-McGurk and Inglis smoothly guided Australia to victory, with captain Steve Smith sealing the win with plenty of balls to spare, showcasing a dominant performance by the home team.
However, amidst the celebration of Australia’s series sweep, there was a concern regarding Morris’s injury. The speedster had to leave the field due to a side strain, putting his participation in the upcoming New Zealand Test tour in jeopardy. As Australia reveled in their triumph, the injury to Morris cast a shadow over the team’s joy, reminding them of the physical toll that comes with the sport.
The intense moments of the match were not just limited to the on-field action. There was drama unfolding as players engaged in spirited battles, like the entertaining duel between Alzarri Joseph and Fraser-McGurk. Emotions ran high when a run-out opportunity emerged, with confusion and tension adding to the spectacle. The exchange of words, the drama of a slip, and a precise throw culminated in a thrilling run-out that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats.
Fraser-McGurk’s innings will be remembered as a box office spectacle, a display of power-hitting and skill that exemplified the excitement of cricket. His whirlwind knock not only set the tone for the game but also showcased the talent and potential of young players in the Australian squad. Inglis’s steady support added stability to the chase, highlighting the importance of partnerships in cricket and the ability of teammates to rally together towards a common goal.
As the sun set on Manuka Oval, the echoes of cheers for the home team’s victory resonated throughout the stadium. The record-breaking performance, the individual brilliance of players like Fraser-McGurk and Bartlett, and the collective effort of the Australian team stood as a testament to the spirit of competition and the joy of sport. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with injuries and setbacks, the resilience and determination of the players shone through, leaving a lasting impression on fans and critics alike.
Bowling Analysis
Lance Morris made a grand comeback but was sadly sidelined by a side strain injury, while Xavier Bartlett continued to shine brightly in his international career, taking four wickets as Australia convincingly swept the ODI series against a struggling West Indies at Manuka Oval.
The opening duo of Josh Inglis and Jake Fraser-McGurk set the pace by quickly reaching 67 runs in just five overs, marking Australia’s fastest team 50 in men’s ODIs since 2002. Their dominant performance led Australia to secure an eight-wicket victory with a remarkable 43.1 overs to spare, making it the shortest men’s ODI ever played in Australia, completing the match in just 31 overs.
Bartlett’s exceptional bowling display, ending with figures of 4 for 21, dismantled the West Indies lineup, restricting them to a mere 86 runs – their fifth lowest ODI score. This victory came as Australia celebrated their 1000th ODI match, following previous comprehensive wins in Melbourne and Sydney.
Despite Inglis and Fraser-McGurk’s explosive start, Australia missed out on a possible 10-wicket win when Fraser-McGurk fell just short of a rapid half-century, ending with a fiery 41 off 18 balls. Morris’ unfortunate injury cast a shadow on Australia’s triumph, forcing him to leave the field midway through his fifth over, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Steven Smith’s decision to bowl first proved strategic, with Bartlett proving lethal with the new ball, disrupting the West Indies’ batting lineup early on. Morris also made an impact, claiming crucial wickets and showcasing his bowling prowess before his untimely exit due to injury.
The West Indies’ batting woes continued as they struggled against Australia’s bowling attack, with Bartlett standing out as he joined a select group of bowlers with four-plus wicket hauls in their first two ODIs. The West Indies’ disappointing performance was highlighted by a comedic run out and their ongoing 27-year ODI drought against Australia in Australia.
In this thrilling match of twists and turns, Australia’s dominance, Bartlett’s heroics, and the West Indies’ struggles painted a vivid picture of cricketing excellence and setbacks on the field.
Fielding Analysis
Marnus Labuschagne had a wonderful fielding performance in the semi-final which altered the whole complexion of the match. The South Africa born batter produced another moment of magic in this ODI. Keacy Carty hit a powerful square cut that propelled the ball towards the boundary line. Marnus Labuschagne was fielding in the backward point, he dived like a goalkeeper and pulled the ball out of thin air.
The other catches were taken well by the Australian fielders. They perfectly backed up the bowlers to outclass the Windies batters. The Windies fielders did not have much to do in the field as the Australians romped to the victory line in the 7th over. However, they need to work on their fielding mistakes which were quite evident during the course of the series.
Key Performances
Xavier Bartlett was the star of the show for Australia once again. The 24 year old pace bowler repeated his four wicket haul from the first game at the MCG. The Victorian bowled 7.1 overs and gave away 21 runs. Lance Morris has shaken off his frustrating debut for the Australian team as he failed to grab any wicket in the first game. The express first bowler bowled beautifully this time around, claiming the first two scalps of his international career. He bowled 4.3 deliveries and gave away 13 runs.
Adam Zampa also kept things tight with 14 runs conceded from 5 overs. The Windies scorecard was a sorry read to say the least. Alick Athanaze was the highest scorer of the visitors at the top of the order. The left-hander looked solid in his 32 run innings from 60 deliveries. Keacy Carty and Roston Chase were the only two other batters who got past the double figure mark. The second highest 13 runs came from the extras.
Young Jake Fraser-McGurk showcased why he is considered to be one of the best talents in the current world of cricket. The 21 year old played a blistering innings of 41 from just 18 deliveries. His opening partner Josh Inglis was also in his typical aggressive form, scoring 35 runs from 16 deliveries. The pair raced to 67 in just 4.2 overs before Fraser-McGurk departed. Alzarri Joseph claimed one wicket. Oshane Thomas was the only bowler among the four whose economy rate was under 10. He got the wicket of Aaron Hardie.
Turning Point
The turning point of the game came on the fifth ball of the 20th over. Despite the Aussie dominance during the early exchanges of the game, Alick Athanaze was battling hard with his composed batting. The Dominican batters is considered to be one of the brightest young talents in the Caribbean cricket and at the Manuka Oval he was showing his class. The southpaw batter played the ball along the ground to keep the scoreboard ticking. He amassed 32 from 59 deliveries while facing an Aussie seize. However, he decided to change his batting approach when Adam Zampa came out to bowl.
The World champion leg spinner bowled one slow through the air. It was a flighted delivery and the batsman took the bait. Athanaze tried to slow sweep it towards the midwicket region. The ball balloned up and Sean Abbott completed a regulation grab at short fine leg. After this dismissal the Windies innings crumbled in a spectacular innings. They lost their last five wickets in 25 balls, just adding 15 more to the total.
Match Result
Australia won the third ODI by sweeping the Windies by 8 wickets. They won the game with a record 259 deliveries left. They also completed a whitewash by winning the series three nil.
Player of the Match
The player of the match award went to young Aussie pace sensation Xavier Bartlett for his four wicket haul. The right arm fast bowler bowled 43 deliveries and conceded 21 runs at an economy rate of 2.93.
Player of the Series
Xavier Bartlett enjoyed a dream ODI series debut by picking up 8 wickets. His performance in two matches was enough to earn him the award. The Queensland pacer has an astonishing average of 4.75 and strike rate of 12.1 in ODI cricket so far.
Brief Scorecard
| West Indies Total: 86/10 (24.1 overs) | Australia Total: 87/2 (6.5 overs) |
| Alick Athanaze 32 (60) | Jake Fraser-McGurk 41 (18) |
| Roston Chase 12 (26) | Josh Inglis 35 (16) |
| Xavier Bartlett 4/21 (7.1 overs) | Oshane Thomas 1/7 (0.5 overs) |
| Lance Morris 2/13 (4.3 overs) | Alzarri Joseph 1/30 (3 overs) |
Match Highlights
Match Wrap-Up
It was the most comprehensive way to end the ODI series by claiming an emphatic win over the visitors. After just two matches, Xavier Bartlett looks like the newest Aussie superstar in the making. Lance Morris also enjoyed his time out after a frustrating debut in the opening match of the series. Jake Fraser-McGurk is another one for the future, the Victorian batter has shown glimpses of his talent. Windies has shown plenty of fight in this series, but it was not enough to challenge the reigning world champions. The two teams will meet on Friday at Hobart for the first of three T20 matches.
