Australia defeated West Indies by three wickets with seven balls to spare in the first T20 match of the five-match series, taking a 1-0 lead. Key contributions came from Ben Dwarshuis with a four-wicket haul, while Cameron Green (51) and Mitchell Owen (50) delivered powerful half-centuries. Owen was named Player of the Match for his explosive performance.
Chasing a 190-run target, Australia stumbled early, losing Jake Fraser-McGurk (2), skipper Mitchell Marsh (24), and Josh Inglis (18) in quick succession. Glenn Maxwell also fell for 11. However, Green and Owen turned the tide with a crucial 80-run fifth-wicket partnership. Green scored 51 off 26 balls with five sixes and two fours, while Owen smashed six sixes in his 50 off just 27 balls. Owen’s dismissal in the 17th over came after Australia reached 175. Cooper Connolly chipped in with 13 runs before Australia sealed the win at 190/7 in 18.5 overs. Australia hit 17 sixes—nearly double West Indies’ nine—which proved decisive.
Earlier, West Indies posted 189/8 after Australia opted to bowl. Brandon King (18) and Shai Hope (55) opened with a 32-run stand, followed by a strong 91-run partnership between Hope and Roston Chase (60). Shimron Hetmyer added 38 runs in the late overs. Dwarshuis led Australia’s bowling attack with four wickets; Abbott, Connolly, Ellis, and Owen claimed one each. For West Indies, Holder, Motie, and Joseph took two wickets each, while Hosein took one.