Australia Vs West Indies 1st ODI: The One-Day International series between Australia and West Indies has commenced on Friday, February 2, and the firdt ODI is being played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. Xavier Bartlett has received his much deserved call-up after being one of the standout performers with the ball in the recently concluded Big Bash League 2023-24, in which his antics led his side Brisbane Heat to their second ever title (first since 2013), defeating one of the most successful sides in the league's history, the Sydney Sixers.
Upon handed over the debut cap, Xavier Bartlett walked into the ODI with a chip on his shoulder and he delivered within the first three balls of his debut spell in international cricket as his ripping out swinging delivery picked up from the leg stump is indeed, a treat to watch and a peach of a delivery. The magisterial delivery dismissed Justin Greaves for an individual score of 1, who had not even a bleak of an idea on how the delivery came in and ended up beating him and blanking him, maki ng him stand still and bails flying back.
Australia Vs West Indies 1st ODI - Match Report
Electing to bowl first, things seemed pretty clear and evident that Australia were looking for a revenge and nothing is more dangerous than a wounded Australia waiting to hunt the opposition in their own backyard. The conditioned favoured the bowlers and the Aussies left no signs of mercy as their fire-breathing pace attcak rattled and dismantled the helpless batting order of West Indies as they were bundled out for 231.
In reply, an early wicket of Travis Head couldn't help West Indies much as half centuries from Josh Inglish, Steve Smith, and Cameron Green did the job for Aussies as they thumped the Carribeans by 8 wickets, with more than 10 overs still left.