Australia cruised to an emphatic series-clinching win against the West Indies, thanks to Tim David’s stunning, unbeaten century. David’s explosive knock, which included 11 sixes, helped Australia chase down a daunting target of 214/4 set by the West Indies with 23 balls to spare.
David’s blistering performance overshadowed a solid century by West Indies’ Shai Hope, who earlier in the match had scored 102. Australia’s chase began cautiously, with Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell taking 16 runs off Jediah Blades in the first over.
Despite three quick wickets from West Indies during the PowerPlay, Australia’s chase remained on track, with David coming in at 65/3 after six overs.
West Indies tried to use spin to slow down the Australian batsmen, but David kept up the pressure, maintaining a run rate of over 10 runs per over. After the dismissal of Cameron Green, David took control, smashing four consecutive sixes in a 28-run over off Gudakesh Motie, bringing Australia to 120/4 at the halfway point.
David became Australia’s fastest half-centurion in T20Is, reaching 50 off just 16 deliveries. He followed this up by hitting three sixes and a four in another 20-run over, keeping the chase moving quickly.
Despite West Indies’ efforts, including a brief tight over from Blades, there was no stopping David. He punished Roston Chase with three sixes and a four in his over, pushing Australia closer to victory.
The 100-run partnership between David and Mitchell Owen in just 9 overs took Australia within reach of their target. David’s final flourish came in the 17th over, where he hit a four off the first ball to seal the victory, completing his century off just 37 balls — the fastest T20I century by an Australian.
West Indies had earlier posted a formidable 214/4, driven by a 125-run opening partnership between Hope and Brandon King, who smashed 12 sixes between them. However, despite their strong start, David’s incredible performance overshadowed everything, and Australia triumphed by six wickets.
Brief Scores:
West Indies 214/4 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 102, Brandon King 62; Nathan Ellis 1-37)
Australia 215/4 in 16.1 overs (Tim David 102*, Mitchell Owen 36*; Romario Shepherd 2-39)
Australia won by 6 wickets.
