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Till then, this is Dwaipayan Mukherjee, signing off with my friend Pragadeesh. Take care!
That will be that from this opening ODI between Australia and West Indies where the hosts have bulldozed their opposition. West Indies will have to go back to the drawing board and chalk out many contingency plans when the two sides meet again in less than 48 hours at the SCG.
Xavier Bartlett (Player of the Match) - Amazing way to start and contribute to win is amazing. Lucky that it hits the top of off-stump. It's nice coming here with confidence. Had an amazing stint with Brisbane Heat and to carry the form here is amazing. (On playing under Smith) Watched him play on TV in the last 10 years and now to play under him is surreal
Australia (232/2 in 38.3 overs) defeat West Indies (231 all out in 48.4 overs) by 8 wickets
Steve Smith - 79* (79) | Cameron Green - 77* (104) Matthew Forde - 1/37 | Gudakesh Motie - 1/58
231 in the Aussie backyard, in the MCG cauldron, that has seen some epic ODI batting renditions by the home side, was never going to suffice. It was an inspired beginning when Matthew Forde dismissed the World Cup final centurion in the very first over. At that time, the most ardent Caribbean supporters might have began thinking that an encore was on the cards from what their team achieved in Gabba last week.
But all those dreams were quashed and mixed with the mud when Josh Inglis conjured an enentertaining knock of 65 from just 43 balls which completely destroyed the hopes of the West Indian fanatics for a close finish. He would be ruing the fact that he got out in the manner in which he did - playing a reverse sweep - trying for too much in what was otherwise an extremely enterprising innings which had got the home supporters cheering for him vehemently.
16,342 fans in the MCG were then treated to a massive partnership between Cameron Green and Captain Smith. Young Green made his first appearance at the number 3 slot and the big fellow would be pleased with his efforts to make this a one-sided affair as the West Indies truly looked hapless, shook by what Inglis had done to them. Smith registered another fifty and kept pressing on his amazing run of form against the Calyspo side.
Looking back, 300 was what they really needed in what was a completely flat surface with precarious little on offer for the bowlers. It was a cake walk, a stroll in the park as Australia really did a pounding on their opposition tonight, they have won 18 out of their last 20 ODIs in Australia against the Windies. They won 9 in a row in the World Cup and this win makes the streak longer - takes them to 10. It will take some stopping for this juggernaut.
38.3 Hayden Walsh to Steven Smith, FOUR! It's all too easy for the hosts in the run chase. They completely outclassed West Indies and go 1-0 up in the series. Short and wide, Smith opens the blade and guides it past backward point to seal things in style
38.2 Hayden Walsh to Steven Smith, another tossed up delivery on a good length, defended on the front foot
38.1 Hayden Walsh to Steven Smith, flighted delivery on off-stump, Smith smothers it down the track
38
overs
228/2score
0
1
2
0
0
0
runs
Cameron Green*
77(104)
Steven Smith
75(76)
Roston Chase
0/31
37.6 Roston Chase to Cameron Green, quicker on a good length angling on middle stump, Green is late into his flick and the ball deflects off his front pad
37.5 Roston Chase to Cameron Green, flighted delivery angling around off, Green smothers and gets contact in the inside half