The visitors, subjected to a calamitous batting collapse of 6-15 in Canberra,
could only muster a paltry 86 runs in 24.1 overs. Queensland's seamer, Xavier Bartlett, emerged as the architect of their demise, clinching four crucial wickets and extending his stellar summer performance with the ball. The West Indies' feeble batting effort notched their second-lowest total against Australia in men's ODIs and their fifth-lowest overall.
Australia, commemorating its 1000th ODI, executed a breathtaking chase,
reaching the 87-run target in a mere 6.5 overs. Openers Jake Fraser-McGurk (41 off 18 balls) and Josh Inglis (35 not out off 16 balls) dismantled the West Indies' bowling attack, setting a new record for Australia's fastest successful run chase in men's ODIs, surpassing the previous 47-ball mark against the United States of America in 2004.
This dead rubber encounter concluded in just 31 overs, solidifying its status as the shortest completed ODI on Australian soil, wrapping up even before the necessity of floodlights.
Expressing his disappointment, West Indies coach Darren Sammy conveyed, "We are most disappointed in the way we’ve played… but it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon to 2027. What I will tell them in the dressing room is if you don’t display the attitude and the brand that we are looking for that will help us to become competitive, you will get left out."
Australia's triumph, however, was not without its challenges, as
fast bowler Lance Morris had to leave the field with a side strain, leaving his fifth over incomplete. The 25-year-old is set to undergo scans to assess the extent of the injury.
The initial breakthrough for Australia came when captain Steve Smith won the toss, electing to field first. Xavier Bartlett claimed the early scalp of West Indies opener Kjorn Ottley for 8. However, Ottley chose not to review despite clear evidence of a thick inside edge.
The West Indies' fortunes continued to plummet during a chaotic 15-ball passage after the Powerplay.
Lance Morris wreaked havoc, securing his maiden international wicket, while Sean Abbott dismissed the West Indies captain Shai Hope, who squandered a review before departing for 4. Morris further compounded the misery by dismissing West Indies debutant Teddy Bishop for a sixth-ball duck.
Alick Athanaze, the West Indies opener, battled his way to 32
before a lapse in concentration led to his downfall in the 20th over. The West Indies' middle order crumbled, and in a bizarre turn of events, Matthew Forde was run out for a second-ball duck after a disagreement with teammate Roston Chase.
Attempting to counter Bartlett's bouncers aggressively, Chase ended up offering a simple catch to Jake Fraser-McGurk at deep square leg for 12, exposing the frailty of the West Indies' tail. Gudakesh Motie fell to a sweep shot against Adam Zampa, departing without scoring. Bartlett concluded the innings, dismissing West Indies vice-captain Alzarri Joseph for 6 and finishing with remarkable figures of 4-21 from 7.1 overs.
Reflecting on Bartlett's performance, captain Steve Smith lauded, "Seeing him come out in this series and bowl the way he did was outstanding. He presented the seam, swung it and got the rewards. Looks like he’s got a bright future."
Australia's run chase began with an assertive display from Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis, who amassed 59 runs in the opening four overs. Fraser-McGurk showcased his fearless approach, launching sixes and boundaries with confidence. His departure for 41, however, brought a brief respite for the West Indies, as Aaron Hardie fell shortly after.
Inglis and skipper Smith efficiently sealed the victory in the seventh over, completing the chase with a staggering 259 balls to spare.
Despite the jubilation in the Australian camp, West Indies captain Shai Hope expressed a somber mood, stating, "The mood in the dressing room isn’t as bright as we would want it to be. It happens, it’s cricket. Anyone can be bowled out for under 100, but there’s some things that we can definitely amend.
Australia's dominance in ODIs continues, extending their winning streak to 12 consecutive matches. The focus now shifts to the upcoming T20 series against the West Indies, set to commence in Hobart on Friday evening.
