Australia has cruised towards a crushing eight-wicket victory over the West Indies after a dazzling performance from debutant Xavier Bartlett in Friday’s ODI series opener at the MCG.
Making his maiden appearance in Australian colours, Bartlett took 4-17 from nine overs to help bowl out the West Indies for 231 in 48.4 overs. The Queenslander tore through the top order during the Powerplay before West Indies No. 3 Keacy Carty revived the innings with a career-best 88 (108) that featured six boundaries and two sixes.
Carty’s knock came to an abrupt end in the 41st over when teammate Hayden Walsh fended the ball directly towards cover and called for a suicidal single. Sean Abbott nailed the throw at the striker’s end, running out the dejected Carty 12 runs short of a maiden ODI century.
Australia chased the 232-run target in 38.3 overs as wicketkeeper Josh Inglis pressed his case to become the nation’s permanent ODI opener, cracking a career-best 65 (43) that featured ten boundaries a and 101-metre six over square leg.
The 28-year-old, who had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier in the day, raced towards a third ODI half-century before falling victim to West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie in the 12th over, gloving a sweep shot towards Alick Athanaze at first slip.
Cameron Green, elevated to No. 3 for the first in his ODI career, combined with captain Steve Smith for an unbeaten 149-run partnership for the third wicket to steer Australia towards its 18th consecutive victory over the West Indies on home soil.
Smith won the toss and elected to field first in Melbourne, a decision that paid dividends when Bartlett, later named player of the match, snared three wickets in the opening ten overs.
The 25-year-old’s third delivery was an absolute peach, swinging away from West Indies opener Justin Greaves and crashing into the top of off stump. He should have taken a second wicket later in the same over, but Smith neglected to review an LBW shout against Alick Athanaze that would have been overturned.
However, Bartlett didn’t have to wait long for his second breakthrough, with Athanaze feathering an outswinger through to Inglis with the gloves for 5.
The West Indies were suddenly reeling at 3-37 in the tenth over after captain Shai Hope attempted a wild slog against Bartlett, edging the ball through to Matthew Short at first slip for 12. Green joined the party moments before the first drinks break, with Kavem Hodge chipping a catch towards substitute fielder Mackenzie Harvey at mid-wicket for 11.
Carty and Roston Chase rebuilt the innings with a 110-run partnership, the highest fifth-wicket for the West Indies in an away ODI in Australia. Chase brought up his fourth ODI half-century in 61 deliveries before botching a sweep shot against leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the 37th over, bowled around his legs for 59.
Chase’s departure sparked a brief collapse of 3-25, where Carty was barbecued by Walsh and Green trapped Romario Shepherd on the pads for a golden duck. Green was denied a third wicket when Travis Head dropped an absolute dolly at deep square leg in the 44th over, gifting Walsh a second life on 13.
Matthew Forde slapped 19 (21) in a late cameo before Gudakesh Motie survived what appeared to be an inevitable run-out, with Inglis somehow missing the stumps from point-blank range. Not long after, Marnus Labuschagne botched a simple run-out chance at the nonstriker’s end, adding to Australia’s woeful day in the field.
Returning to the attack at the death, Bartlett removed Gudakesh Motie for 3 to finish with the second-best bowling figures for an Australian debutant in men’s ODI. The record is held by national selector Tony Dodemaide, who phoned Bartlett earlier in the week to inform him of his looming debut.
Best figures among Australian debutants in men’s ODI
5-21 — Tony Dodemaide vs SL, 1988
4-17 — Xavier Bartlett vs WI, 2024
4-19 — Stuart MacGill vs PAK, 2000
4-39 — Carl Rackemann vs NZ, 1983
4-46 — Xavier Doherty vs SL, 2010
Australia’s run chase got off to a horror start with Forde dismissing opener Head in the first over for 4 after the left-hander feathered a cut stroke through to gloveman Hope. However, Inglis quickly shifted momentum back in Australia’s favour by feasting on some wayward bowling during the Powerplay, bringing up a half-century in just 28 deliveries.
West Indies seamer Oshane Thomas was taken to the cleaners and taunted by the rowdy spectators in Bay 13 after a sloppy misfield near the boundary rope.
Inglis’ dismissal gave the West Indies a glimmer of hope, but Green (77*) and Smith (79*) were completely unfazed during the middle overs of the run chase, picking the gaps and rotating the strike with ease. Green reached his fifty in 61 balls while Smith only needed 58 deliveries, with the duo breaking Australia’s ODI record for the highest third-wicket partnership against the West Indies.
Australia reached the target with 69 balls to spare to secure its tenth consecutive ODI victory, a feat the team has not achieved since 2019, and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Uncapped seamers Bartlett and Lance Morris were selected for the series opener, marking the first time two Australian debutants have opened the bowling in a home men’s ODI since January 1997 (Andy Bichel and Anthony Stuart vs the West Indies at the Gabba).
Meanwhile, Inglis followed Cricket Australia protocols after testing positive for Covid-19 on Friday morning, occupying a separate dressing room from his teammates and distancing himself from others while on the field.
No member of this West Indies squad has played an ODI in Australia before Friday’s match, while the Caribbean side has not won an ODI against Australia in Australia since 1997.
The second ODI between Australia and the West Indies gets underway at the SCG on Sunday afternoon, with the first ball scheduled for 2.30pm AEDT.
