In an unforgettable showdown at Sabina Park, Josh Inglis and Cameron Green delivered a masterclass in T20 cricket, overshadowing the emotional farewell of West Indies legend Andre Russell. Australia made a resounding statement by clinching the second T20I with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory, leading the five-match series 2-0. If you’re a cricket fan and missed this one, buckle up—because this match had everything: sixes, spills, emotion, and sheer dominance from the Australian men’s cricket team.
A Farewell Fit for a King: Andre Russell Bows Out in Style
Before the first ball was bowled, the air was thick with nostalgia and excitement. Andre Russell, the Jamaican powerhouse, played his final international match in front of his home crowd. Emotions ran high as both teams gave him a guard of honour, and he was presented with a custom cricket bat-shaped guitar wrapped in the Jamaican flag. Goosebumps, anyone?
Russell didn’t disappoint either—he smashed 36 runs off just 15 balls, including four towering sixes. For a brief moment, it felt like Sabina Park was under his spell. One of his sixes even sailed into a college across the road—literally out of the park! But this fairy tale ending was eventually eclipsed by two Aussies who stole the show.
Enter Josh Inglis and Cameron Green: The Dynamic Duo
Once Josh Inglis walked onto the field, the game tilted completely in Australia’s favour. Alongside Green, Inglis unleashed a brutal counterattack, chasing down 173 with sheer ease. Their 131-run unbeaten partnership was a display of raw power and clinical execution.
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Josh Inglis smashed 78 off 33 balls, with a staggering strike rate of 236.36.
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Cameron Green supported brilliantly with 56 off 32.
The pair made sure the game was wrapped up in just 16 overs—yes, with 28 balls to spare!
Dropped Catches, Lost Chances: West Indies Let It Slip
West Indies fans might be wondering, “What went wrong?” Well, for starters—fielding. Three dropped catches in a single over by Gudakesh Motie gifted lives to both Inglis and Green early in their innings. Inglis was dropped on 9, and Green had two let-offs on just 3 runs.
That proved costly. In the very next over, Inglis punished the Windies with a 19-run assault on Alzarri Joseph, including a massive six off Russell’s very first ball.
Australia’s Powerplay Plan: Experimentation That Paid Off
Australia made a bold move by opening with Glenn Maxwell, aiming to counter Akeal Hosein’s spin. Maxwell started aggressively, reverse-sweeping his way to 10 runs in the first over. Though he fell quickly after, it set the tone for a no-nonsense chase.
Mitch Marsh, the skipper, also chipped in with a 21-run cameo before the Inglis-Green show took over.
Adam Zampa and Spin Strategy Work Like a Charm
Bowling first, the Australian men’s cricket team went spin-heavy. They even handed a debut to Matthew Kuhnemann, who opened the bowling. The strategy worked wonders:
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Adam Zampa was the standout, bagging 3/29.
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Glenn Maxwell chipped in with 2/15.
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Kuhnemann, despite not getting a wicket, showed promise with a tight 0/33 on debut.
The decision to unleash six consecutive overs of spin upfront kept the West Indies in check during the Powerplay.
Brandon King’s Brilliance and West Indies’ Mid-Innings Collapse
West Indies started cautiously, progressing to 17 without loss in the first three overs. But Brandon King soon exploded, bringing the crowd alive with big hits—including two sixes and two boundaries off Kuhnemann.
He reached his half-century in 33 balls—his third fifty in six innings at Sabina Park—but was dismissed trying to take on Zampa, which triggered a collapse. Within the next few overs, West Indies lost:
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King (53)
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Shai Hope (9)
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Shimron Hetmyer (8)
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Roston Chase (6)
From 1-80 to 5-98, the middle-order crumbled under pressure.
Russell’s Last Roar: Fireworks Before Goodbye
Then came the final flourish from Andre Russell. In just 15 balls, he smashed 36 runs and lit up Sabina Park one last time. Three of his first five deliveries cleared the ropes. One of his sixes couldn’t even be located—it disappeared under the black tarp of the sightscreen. Another sailed far into the stands of a nearby college.
Unfortunately, he was dismissed trying to go big once again—offering Josh Inglis a sky-high catch that swirled under the lights before being safely pouched. Every Aussie player shook Russell’s hand on his way out. A classy farewell for a legendary player.
Ben Dwarshuis and Mitch Owen Impress in Death Overs
Ben Dwarshuis, though expensive at times (1-37), delivered crucial overs. Mitch Owen, on the other hand, was unlucky not to get a second wicket due to a dropped catch by Dwarshuis.
Gudakesh Motie (18* off 9 balls) added valuable runs at the death, including a six in the final over. West Indies ended with 172/8, which looked decent until Josh Inglis came in like a wrecking ball.
Where to Watch West Indies Cricket Team vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team
Wondering how to catch the action live? If you’re in India and googling “AUS vs WI live telecast in India”, you’re in luck. These matches are usually available on Sony Sports Network and streaming via SonyLIV. International fans can follow the game on platforms like Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports (UK), and Kayo Sports (Australia).
Bookmark the schedule because the series now moves to St Kitts for the remaining three T20Is—and given the intensity, you don’t want to miss a ball!
WI vs AUS Live: What’s Next in the Series?
With Australia now leading 2-0, the pressure is on the West Indies cricket team to bounce back. Can they pull off a win at home, or will Australia wrap up the series early?
Here’s what to expect:
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3rd T20I – St Kitts
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4th T20I – St Kitts
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5th T20I – St Kitts
Australia will look to continue their dominance, while West Indies desperately need to regroup, especially in the field.
Key Performers to Watch
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Josh Inglis – In red-hot form, and he’s the main focus for the rest of the series.
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Cameron Green – Back-to-back fifties make him a reliable No.4.
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Adam Zampa – His control and spin are causing major problems.
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Ben Dwarshuis – Needs to tighten up but brings energy to the attack.
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Roston Chase – Needs to step up with bat and ball if Windies are to fight back.
Squads: Who’s In and Who’s Out?
West Indies T20 Squad:
Shai Hope (c), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Andre Russell (Kingston only), Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Jediah Blades, Jewel Andrew, Evin Lewis, Matthew Forde (St Kitts only)
Australia T20 Squad:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Tim David, Adam Zampa, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Matt Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Nathan Ellis
Final Thoughts: Inglis Sets the Tone for the Series
If anyone still doubted Josh Inglis, they’re silent now. His performance wasn’t just match-winning—it was match-defining. Alongside Green, he made a strong statement about Australia’s depth and intent.
This isn’t just about cricket anymore—it’s about seizing moments. Inglis didn’t just spoil Russell’s farewell; he announced himself as a serious T20 weapon.
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Conclusion
As the sun sets on Andre Russell’s international career, a new star—Josh Inglis—is shining bright in the Australian camp. Cricket often gives us these poetic crossovers: one career ends, another blossoms.
The West Indies may have lost the match, but the love they showed for Russell proves that cricket is more than a sport in the Caribbean—it’s emotion, pride, and legacy.
Australia, meanwhile, marches on. And if Inglis continues like this, the T20 World Cup selectors will have a very easy decision to make.
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