WI vs The Aussies T20 #3 match report: Crikey!!!! The WI have won the series!!!!
We interrupt this scheduled article for a breaking news story – St. Lucia was hit by Hurricane Universe Boss last night as the Gayle force winds generated by the speed of the cricket ball off the willow completely blew away any hopes the Aussies harboured of keeping the series alive. Now, back to your regular report. –
Poor old Aaron Finch. I’m sure as he tossed back a Stubby or two last night, he must have wondered who on Earth was the Drongo who had started the Furphy that C.H. Gayle’s powers were depleted to the point where he’d be No Wucka’s to the Aussie bowlers. Heck, I’d even understand if he seriously contemplated taking a Sickie tomorrow. This Caribbean assignment was proving to be Hard Yakka (author’s note: for the meaning of all Aussie slang used please scroll to the end of this article).
For the 3rd time, Australia won the toss, and not only did they opt to bat first, but they also made 3 changes to their playing 11. The thinking was clear – change of tactics, change of personnel, so change of result, right? Guess again, mate. Granted, they got their best opening partnership of the series, but when that was broken, followed soon after, by the loss of the in-form Mitch Marsh, the signs were ominous. A double strike by Hayden Walsh Jr. in the 12th overexposed the underperforming middle order once more, but this time Henriques found a reliable partner in Ashton Turner. Their 59-run effort lasted right down to the final over until both were dismissed. The home bowling unit again performed well, this time delivering 42 dot balls and giving up only two 6’s and 11 4’s as the Aussies could only finish on 141-6.
The WI innings saw a reversal of fortunes for two players of whom much is expected for their respective teams. Aussie pace spearhead Mitch Starc had gone for 89 runs combined in the 2 previous games but this time he was back to his swinging best, taking 1-15 in his 4 overs. Gayle’s previous knocks had produced 17 runs in total but from the moment he tore into Hazlewood’s bowling in the 2nd over of the innings to score 18 off 4 consecutive balls, the shackles came off and the writing, as they say, was on the wall.
He contributed 21 out of the 38 put on with Simmons for the 2nd wicket and dominated the 3rd wicket partnership with skipper Pooran to the tune of 46 out of the 67 runs scored. Starc apart, the Aussies had no answer for the fury of the Universe Boss as he blasted 7 sixes and 4 boundaries from the 38 deliveries he faced. Not even his dismissal for an eventual 67 could stop the WI charge as Pooran and Dre Russ put the Aussies out of their misery with 5 overs to spare, the stand-in skipper finally getting some much-needed time in the middle and runs under his belt as well. The dot ball count rose slightly this time, but that was to be expected with Gayle’s 42-year old legs at the crease for a large chunk of the overs.
Nevertheless, the manner of victory was brilliantly brutal and ensured that the Australian think tank would have fresh nightmares to keep them up at night.
I will go on record to say that I want nothing less than a 5-0 series result from this point on. The WI MUST show that ruthless killer instinct that the Aussies know only too well from the days of their own dominance. To ease off now would be a sign of weakness and complacency that WI can ill afford. Luckily, the stars seem to be falling into alignment at just the right time for the Men in Maroon.
Aussie Slang:
Stubby – a bottle of beer
Drongo – an idiot
Furphy – rumour/unbelievable story
No Wucka’s – no worries
Sickie – sick day off work (when not sick)
Hard Yakka – hard work
