In the first one-day international between Australia vs West Indies in Melbourne on Friday, Captain Steve Smith and Cameron Green led Australia to a convincing eight-wicket victory with a dominant 149-run partnership. Smith remained unbeaten on 79 runs from as many balls, while Green, batting at number three, scored 77 runs not out from 104 balls.
With opener Josh Inglis setting the platform for victory with a quickfire 65 off just 43 balls, Australia chased down the target of 232 with 11.3 overs to spare.
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This win marked Australia’s 10th consecutive ODI victory, including their World Cup triumph in India last year. The only disappointment for Australia was Travis Head, who managed just four runs off five balls.
Debutant speedster Xavier Bartlett was named the player of the match for his impressive figures of 4-17 off nine overs. Green reached his fifty off 62 balls, while Smith reached his half-century in 58 balls. Inglis, who scored a rapid fifty off just 28 balls, was unfortunately dismissed while attempting a reverse sweep, leaving Australia at 83 for two in the 12th over.
Earlier in the West Indies innings, Keacy Carty missed out on a century due to a run-out mix-up. He looked set for his maiden ODI century before being run out for 88 off 108 balls. Bartlett, playing in his first ODI, had an excellent start, taking the wicket of Justin Greaves and Alick Athanaze early on.
He also claimed the crucial wicket of skipper Shai Hope, leaving him with figures of 3-8 in five overs. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa broke a 110-run partnership by dismissing Roston Chase for 59 runs. The second ODI is scheduled to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
