(Cricket news) The muscle Russel was in full flow in the 3rd T20 against Australia, as his carnage deprived Australia a clean sweep over West Indies. Russel’s carnage and his match-defining 139-run stand with Sherfane Rutherford (67* off 40) alongside Roston Chase’s all-round brilliance (37 off 20 and 2-19) helped West Indies to a 37-run win over Australia in Perth on Tuesday.
The result helped West Indies secure a consolidation victory, after falling short in the first two games. West Indies after winning their last two T20I series against India and England came into the series with the hope of beating the reigning World Champions as well, however much to their disappointment they managed to pull off just a solitary victory.
Opting to bat West Indies got of to a horror start loosing 3 wickets for just 17 runs. Skipper Powell along with Roston Chase steadied the ship for the visitors, and also ensured that the scoring rate was above 10. However Australia again came back in the game dismissing both the batters in back to back overs, reducing West Indies to 79/5 in 8.4 overs.
At the halfway stage of the first innings, it seemed that West Indies were out of the game and were in course for their third defeat, but Russel and Rutherford had different plans. They selectively took on their matchups and kept the scoreboard racing. 84 runs came in the last six overs which raced West Indies to a score of 220 in their 20 overs.
Russel scored a scintillating 71 off just 29 balls, which included 7 maximums, whereas Rutherford brought up a well made 67 off jus 40 deliveries. Russell was at his brutal best, smashing the ball to all parts while Rutherford played some fine strokes.
Chasing a huge target, Australia got off to a flyer led by the veteran David Warner. Warner kept scoring big and ensured that Australia were not behind in the chase. They raced off to 114 in just 12.2 overs, but the dismissal of Hardie open the flood gated for the hosts. Warner followed soon after Hardie was dismissed post which the Australian innings collapsed losing 4 wickets for just 38 runs.
Even a late burst from Tim David could not secure a win for the Aussies as they fell short by 37 runs, helping West Indies to their first victory of the series.
Brief scores: West Indies 220/6 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 71, Sherfane Rutherford 67*; Xavier Bartlett 2-37) beat Australia 183/5 in 20 overs (David Warner 81, Tim David 41*; Roston Chase 2-19) by 37 runs
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