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In an exciting encounter at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia asserted theirꦐ dominance over the West Indies in the opening match of the ODI series. The hosts ended up registering a comfortable triumph with eight wickets ⛄in hand💫.
West Indies’ batting struggles
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Australia’s decision paid dividends as they restricted the visitors to 231 runs in 48.4 overs. The West Indies batting lineup faced a stern test against the disciplined Australian bowling attack. Despite a valiant effort from Keacy Carty, who scored a resilient 88 runs off 108 balls, the rest of𝄹 the batting order failed to capitalize on starts.
Roston Chase‘s contribution of 59 runs off 67 deliveries provided some stability, but the West Indies ultimately faltered as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Xavier Bartlett’s bowling masterclass
Xavier Bartlett emerged as the pick of the Australian bowlers, wreaking havoc with his impressive figures of 4 wickets for just 17 runs in 9 overs. Supported by Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, and Adam Zampa, the Australian bowling unit exhibited superb 💮control and consistency to keep the West Indies batters in check throughout the innings.
Steve Smith, Cameron Green lead Australia’s clinical chase
Chasing a target of 232 runs for victory, Australia showcased their batting prowess with a commanding display. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis set the tone with a brisk innings of 65 runs off 43 balls, laying a solid foundation for the chase. All-rounder Green’s patient knock of 77 runs off 104 balls and skipper Steve Smith‘s composed 79 runs off 79 balls ensured that Australia cruised to victory with 8 wickets in hand and 11.3 overs to spare.
Despite their best efforts, the West Indies bowlers struggled to contain the Australian batters on a batting-friendly surface. Gudakesh Motie managed to pick up a wicket, but the rest of the bowling attack failed to make significant inroads into the Australian battin👍g lineup.
Also WATCH: Xavier Bartlett bowls an absolute ♈peach to dismiss J🉐ustin Greaves in 1st ODI – AUS vs WI
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Player of the match is🌟 Xavier Bartlett, on d♒ebut!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
Steve Smith: 79*(79)
Cameron Green: 77*(104)
Josh Inglis: 65(43)
Xavier Bartlett: 9-1-17-4Australia defeated West Indies by 8 wickets in the first ODI – proper dominance by World Champions.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
A solid third-wicket partnership between Cameron Green and Steve Smith helps Au🔴stralia race to a win in the fi💙rst ODI 👏:
— ICC (@ICC)
That’s a decent seed from Xavier Bartlett for your first international wicke🐓t
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket)
People were al🌄l over the Wild thing but Xavier Bart♓lett came to play on debut!
Not bad Xavier, not bad.. 😤
— Lachy (@Lachy_Steele)
//twitter.c꧟om/Neyfiction/status/1753289842702590068
Xavier Bartlett finishes with the second-best figures by an Australian on ODI debutꦿ, only behind current selector Tony Dodemaide
— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey)
X Bartlett 3/8 ꦗbouncy outswingers . Bowls one inswinger/Outsiner💜 to Anthanaze and gets wicket. 👏 👏
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist)
Steve🐼 Smith has 100% win percentage as a captain in ODIs in 202🥃4.
— Rafi (@rafi4999)
Steve Smith's last 6 ODI innings in Australian soil :-
79(79)*
21(16)
94(114)
80(78)*
105(131)
61(94)Mr. Consistent 🌟
— JustMyThoughts (@shaibal_27)
Steve Smith in his last two innings 91* and 79*. That 91* has probably triggered the start of his peak phase. This is the most comfortable I've seen him bat in a long time!
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd)
With the ball: 8-0-40-2.
With the bat: 77*(104).What a All-round performance by Cameron Green against West Indies in the first ODI match – Brilliant, Green.
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh)
Cameron Green's outstanding all-round performance in the first ODI against West Indies:
8-0-40-2 with the ball and ♌an unbea🐠ten 77 off 104 with the bat.
Brilliant show by Green! 🌟
— Yogesh Ltd (@yogeshltd)
