AUS vs WI: 'Glenn Maxwell show' seals T20I series for hosts, Australia defeat West Indies by 34 runs

AUS vs WI: Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell smashed his 5th century in the T20I format guiding the hosts to a series victory against West Indies. Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in Adelaide.

In Short

• Australia defeated West Indies in Adelaide in the 2nd T20I
• Glenn Maxwell hit his 5th T20I hundred on Sunday, 11 February
• Australia put up their highest-ever T20I total vs WI

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell smashed his 5th T20I century in Adelaide on Sunday, 11 February, to guide the hosts to a series win against West Indies. Maxwell, who has been in focus for his recent misadventures in Adelaide, decided to make up for his sins by handing Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead with a 34-run win over the opponents.

Guided by Maxwell's riveting 120* off just 55 balls Australia put up a total of 241 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. This was their highest T20I total in home soil and against West Indies as well. Maxwell put up a special effort after Australia were three down inside the first 7 overs, despite scoring at a rate of 9 runs per over.

AUS vs WI: Maxwell breaks Adelaide curse

The 'Big Show' took matters into his own hands and deposited West Indies bowlers for 8 sixes and 12 boundaries at the Adelaide Oval. Maxwell was aided by Tim David's superb 31 off 14 in the final 5 overs of the innings as Australia put up a record total in home soil.

"Didn't hit the gaps right from the outset. It was such a beautiful pitch. Once I hit a few boundaries, I calmed down. I made a good decision against Akeal when he bowled that inswinger. I was watching the ball, wasn't trying to hit everything. There were a few miscues. I am comfortable in this format. I am clear about my plans when I am out in the middle. Just need to keep doing the same things. It's (4th) a nice and difficult position to bat. You can walk in to bat at different scenarios," Glenn Maxwell said at the post match presentation.

It was unlikely that West Indies were going to take down a target of 242 runs. Among the full-time ICC nations, only South Africa and Australia have chased down a 240+ target, and the expectations proved to be true when the visitors lost 5 wickets in the first 10 overs of the game. West Indies were able to score 207/9 in the second innings, all due to the efforts of captain Rovman Powell (63 off 36) and two important cameos of Andre Russell (37 off 16) and Jason Holder (28* off 16).

| AUS vs WI, 2nd T20I Highlights |

Every Australian bowler went for runs, barring Josh Hazlewood (4-1-31-2) but were able to pick at least one wicket each to keep West Indies away from the chase.

The Windies, in fact would have been all-out in the 19th over, if Australia would have appealed after successfully running out Alzzari Joseph. Without the appeal, the match dragged on for another one over and West Indies were able to finish their innings at 207/9.

AUS vs WI, 2nd T20I: Full Scorecard

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh spoke after the game and said that 220 seemed like a par total in Adelaide and heaped praise on Glenn Maxwell's incredible ability.

"I thought it was a great game, think 220 was par, so needed every bit of that 240. (Maxwell) has always done it, he's unbelievable. We are incredibly lucky to have Maxwell. Think we've played some really good T20 cricket over the last six months. Thought there were key moments in the innings we won," Mitchell Marsh said about the team's win on Sunday.

The final match of the series will be played on 13 February at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Published By:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published On:
Feb 11, 2024