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Ben Dwarshuis led Australia to a 5-0 T20 series sweep over West Indies, dismissing key players in the fifth and final match which the tourists won by three wickets.
Australia cricketers celebrate with the trophy. (AFP Photo)
Ben Dwarshuis dismissed both openers and claimed the crucial wicket of top-scorer Shimron Hetmyer as Australia defeated the West Indies in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, on Monday, completing a 5-0 sweep of the T20 series. Chasing a modest target of 171 in the fifth T20 international, Australia recovered from 25/3 and 60/4 to score 173/7 with three overs remaining.
Cameron Green anchored the middle-order recovery with 32 runs, while big-hitting Tim David smashed 30 off 12 balls, including four sixes and a four. Mitchell Owen contributed 37 runs. When Green was dismissed, Australia stood at 141/6, still requiring 30 runs, giving West Indies a sniff of a consolation win.
However, Aaron Hardie maintained his composure and guided Australia to victory by three wickets with an unbeaten 28 runs.
“I didn’t expect 5-0 at the start of the series. But we played some great cricket,” said Australia captain Mitchell Marsh.
West Indies captain Shai Hope identified the reason behind his team’s failure to secure a win.
“We never put together a proper batting display. We either started well or finished poorly or the other way round. Against a quality team you can’t get away with that,” said Hope.
The West Indies were in trouble early after being asked to bat first when Marsh won the toss. Dwarshuis dismissed Brandon King for 11 and Hope for nine, reducing the hosts to 22/2 in the fourth over.
The score further deteriorated to 64/4 until Hetmyer led a fightback, hitting three fours and three sixes on his way to a half-century.
It appeared that Hetmyer might guide the West Indies to a challenging total, but Dwarshuis returned to induce a miscue to Sean Abbott at long-off from a slower bouncer.
Hetmyer was dismissed for 52 off 31 balls, leaving the West Indies at 155-7 in the 17th over.
“It was a little bit of a slower wicket so we tried to hit the wicket hard and use the slower balls as well,” said Dwarshuis, who was named player of the match.
Australia also won the three Tests that preceded the T20 series, sweeping all eight matches on the tour.

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
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- Location :
Saint Kitts & Nevis
- First Published: