Australia let slip their first T20 international against the West Indies in a late-innings collapse that left them 19 runs short of their target in St Lucia.
West Indies scored 6-145 in their 20 overs before being dismissed for 127. A brilliant spell by Josh Hazlewood saw West Indies take control with Hazlewood’s figures of four for 3-12, including a six off his final delivery.
He threw opener Evin Lewis out for a duck and got rid of Dangerman Chris Gayle for 4 to stop Andre Russell. Russell scored 51 off 28 balls, including five sixes. Josh Philippe produced a superb run-out from skipper Nicholas Pooran midway through 17 as West Indies chalked up their chances of victory with 146.
But this is where it all went wrong. Ben McDermott tried to cover off leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr, but his middle stump was overturned, scoring 108. The tourists were on their way to 33 when opener Matthew Wade took Australia to 4-105 in 10 overs after a solid inning from Mitchell Marsh. Marsh made his maiden T20I 50 in the 12th over but fell to 51 when he fended off a return catch to Walsh from Obed McCoy and the
Australians scored a series of slow balls, of which one struck Ashton Agar before McCoy continued with his follow-through and dived to a fine catch and bowl.
