Australia secured a thrilling win over West Indies in the fourth T20I at Basseterre, chasing down 206 with four balls and three wickets to spare. Cameron Green anchored the innings with an unbeaten 55 off 35 balls, while Glenn Maxwell dazzled with 47 off just 18 deliveries, combining power-hitting with fielding brilliance.
Josh Inglis gave Australia a flying start, smashing 51 off 30 balls. His aggressive strokeplay set the tone early, and Maxwell followed with a flurry of sixes, including three in a row, pushing Australia to 129 for 2 in just 10 overs. Maxwell’s innings was not only explosive but also strategic, keeping the required rate well under control.
West Indies had their moments, especially through Jediah Blades, who bowled a game-changing spell of 3 for 29. He dismissed Mitchell Marsh early and triggered a middle-order collapse. However, West Indies’ fielding let them down again, dropping key chances that could have turned the match.
Maxwell’s fielding was a standout feature. He took two catches, including a gravity-defying relay effort with Green at the boundary that robbed Romario Shepherd of a certain six. Despite recovering from a leg fracture in 2022, Maxwell’s athleticism remained unmatched.
Australia’s bowling unit was sharp. Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett, brought in for the match, struck early in the powerplay. Bartlett dismissed Brandon King and Shai Hope with hard lengths, while Hardie benefited from Maxwell’s catching to remove Roston Chase. Nathan Ellis bowled economically again, conceding just 21 runs in four overs, and Adam Zampa and Sean Abbott shared five wickets.
West Indies posted 205/9, becoming the first team in T20I history to score over 200 without a single batter crossing 34. Sherfane Rutherford top-scored with 31, while Powell and Hetmyer added fireworks but failed to convert starts. Australia’s catching remained flawless, with Mitchell Owen diving to remove Hetmyer and Fraser-McGurk taking a high catch to dismiss Powell.
Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder tried to revive West Indies’ innings. Shepherd’s mix of power and finesse pushed the score past 150 by the 15th over. His dismissal, however, summed up the difference between the sides—Maxwell’s leaping catch and relay flick to Green was a moment of magic.
Rain delayed the final overs, stretching the match by nearly an hour. Despite the interruption, Australia’s death bowling remained tight, conceding just 41 runs in the last five overs. Ellis led the effort, supported by Zampa and Abbott.
Australia’s chase faced turbulence when Maxwell miscued a shot off Akeal Hosein, sparking a collapse. Blades struck again, removing Owen and Connolly in quick succession. He nearly dismissed Hardie twice, but dropped chances by Hope and Blades himself kept Australia alive.
Green’s calm under pressure was crucial. He cleared the ropes whenever the bowlers threatened to tighten the screws. His third fifty of the series came off 30 balls, and he survived a late scare when Rutherford dropped him at deep midwicket with 11 runs needed.
The match began with early swing favoring West Indies. Blades trapped Marsh LBW in the second ball, and Holder kept scoring in check. But once the swing faded, Australia shifted gears. Inglis launched seven boundaries in 11 balls, and Maxwell joined the assault.
Maxwell’s six-hitting spree briefly threatened Tim David’s record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Australian, set just a day earlier. Though he fell short, his impact was undeniable. Australia cruised past the halfway mark with ease before the collapse added drama.
Despite the late stumbles, Green’s composure ensured Australia crossed the line. His ability to find boundaries under pressure and rotate strike made the difference. West Indies, meanwhile, were left ruing missed chances and inconsistent execution.
Australia now leads the five-match series 4-0, showcasing depth and resilience. With contributions from Inglis, Maxwell, Green, and a disciplined bowling attack, they’ve dominated the tour. West Indies showed flashes of brilliance but couldn’t sustain momentum.
The match was a showcase of individual brilliance and team execution. Maxwell’s all-round performance and Green’s finishing touch highlighted Australia’s edge. West Indies will need to regroup and address fielding lapses to challenge in the final game.