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West Indies will take on Australia in the first T20 International of the three-match series at Sabina Park in Kingston July 21. After a tough Test series loss, the home side will be eager to start fresh in the shortest format and give their fans something to cheer about.
Australia will begin their T20I series against West Indies with a balanced squad featuring a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising young talent. Under Mitchell Marsh’s leadership, the visitors will rely on the experience of players like Glenn Maxwell while also giving opportunities to rising stars such as Jake Fraser-McGurk.
For West Indies, this marks a crucial opportunity to bounce back after their recent T20I series loss to England. The team, led by Shai Hope, will welcome back Andre Russell for what will be his second-last outing in West Indies colours. With the side going through a transition phase, the hosts will be eager to rediscover their rhythm and give the home crowd something to cheer about.
Sabina Park Pitch Report:
Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, for T20 matches tends to offer a pitch that’s pretty good for batting. While fast bowlers might get a bit of help with swing and seam early on with the new ball, the surface generally settles down quickly. Teams often find it a good place to score runs, and we’ve seen some high totals here in T20s. An average first innings score is around 165, but teams have certainly crossed the 200-mark. As the game goes on, the pitch might get a little slower, which could bring spinners into play during the middle and later overs. Overall, expect a fairly even contest between bat and ball, often leaning towards batsmen if they get set.
Also READ: West Indies pick two newcomers in T20I squad for Australia series
Kingston Weather Report for 1st T20I
The weather in Kingston is expected to remain warm and mostly clear throughout the evening, providing ideal conditions for the opening T20I between West Indies and Australia. Temperatures will stay in the mid-20s but may feel warmer due to humidity. Winds will be moderate, picking up slightly later in the evening with gusts reaching up to 30 km/h, which could assist swing bowlers. The chance of rain remains low, with only a slight possibility of light showers early on. Overall, the conditions are favourable for uninterrupted play and an exciting contest at Sabina Park.
Also READ: Australia name playing XI for first T20I against West Indies in Jamaica