Glenn Maxwell’s superhuman feats in the field continue at Warner Park, with the veteran Australia producing another miraculous moment in the field when combining with Cameron Green for a superb catch.
But the West Indies are a chance to post a competitive total if they manage to bat out their 20 overs.
While Australia has been able to take wickets regularly, including Maxwell’s tandem act with Green to dismiss Romario Shepherd for 28 off the bowling to give Adam Zampa his second wicket, the West Indies are scoring at better than 10 runs an over.
After 16 overs, the West Indies are 7-171. It is worth noting their tally of 214 on Saturday, Australian time, was easily reeled in by the tourists, so the hosts will need to score heavily over the final four overs to set a decent target.
Demonstrating the depth of its T20 squad, new inclusions Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie fired with the ball early in the match at Warner Park, aided by some vintage fielding from Glenn Maxwell.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has been spanked for four sixes in two expensive overs to date but snared the wicket of the talented Sherfane Rutherford for 31 from 15 balls, while Sean Abbott struck just before the halfway mark of the innings to remove Shimron Hetmyer for 16 from six balls.
The West Indies are 5-111 after ten overs and face a task to ensure they bat out their 20 overs.
Bartlett, who was included for Ben Dwarshuis, was on a hattrick in the infancy of the powerplay when removing dangerous West Indian openers Brandon King and skipper Shai Hope in the first four overs.
Maxwell then gave Hardie, who replaced T20 record-breaker Tim David for the fourth game of the series in the Caribbean, his first wicket when securing Roston Chase for a golden duck with a superb catch.
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David reflects on FASTEST T20 ton | 03:53
MATCH CENTRE: Australia v West Indies T20 Game 4
Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said the one-handed effort by Maxwell was an indication of his skill but also a demonstration of the ethic he shows when training.
“It is interesting watching Glenn Maxwell with the way he moves in the field. He does more work on the little basic things than anyone else. We have seen him take some unbelievable catches … but it is not by chance. It is the work he puts in and the details he considers,” he said.
“He spends the first half of his training working on all the basic skills in the game. He always wants to put himself in a position where he can influence the result of the game.”
The West Indies, which are seeking their first win in the series, ended the six over powerplay at 3-58.
EarlierAustralian selectors ensured there would be no repeat of Tim David’s record-breaking heroics for Australia on Sunday, with the powerhouse rested from the fourth match of the T20 series against the West Indies.
But Australian skipper Mitch Marsh believes the match will present the perfect opportunity for another Western Australian all-rounder Hardie to demonstrate his prowess as the Aussies seek to continue an unbeaten streak dating back to last September.
Hardie and Bartlett replaced David and Dwarshuis, who was expensive on Saturday, in the Australian team for the match at Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The West Indies made one change, with Mattew Forde replacing Gudakesh Motie, who was smashed for four straight sixes by David on Saturday as he secured the fastest ever century by an Australian in the T20 format.
Marsh won the toss for the fourth time in succession and again decided to send the West Indies in to bat, with Australia dominant when chasing down tallies including a mammoth 214 on Saturday at Warner Park.
David (aka Goliath) smashed the Aussies to victory in Game 3 with a stunning 102* from 37 balls on Saturday. His effort sealed victory in the five-game series.
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David reflects on FASTEST T20 ton | 03:53
Marsh said the Australians are determined to continue the streak as they build towards next February’s T20 World Cup.
“We’re obviously here to win the game and represent Australia,” he said.
“We said at the start of the tournament that there will be guys batting in different positions and getting opportunities in different positions, but ultimately, we are here to win.
MATCH CENTRE: Australia v West Indies T20 Game 4
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