David, Warner and Starc shine as Australia secure convincing win
Alzarri Joseph again bowled well for West Indies but their chase never really threatned
Andrew McGlashan
07-Oct-2022
David Warner made 75 of Australia's first 96 runs in this game • Getty Images
Australia 178 for 7 (Warner 75, David 42, Joseph 3-21) beat West Indies 147 for 8 (Starc 4-20) by 31 runs
David Warner and Tim David produced sparkling innings as Australia wrapped up a 2-0 victory over a West Indies side still working into their World Cup build-up. Warner dominated the first half of the innings and David turned on the power in the latter stages before West Indies' chase struggled to build a consistent tempo then faded away.
Warner and Aaron Finch, who this time batted No. 3, added 85 for the second wicket of which Finch contributed 15. A brief wobble, where three wickets fell for five runs, was then righted by David who struck at over 200.
Brandon King was the most assured of West Indies' top order but when he charged and missed at Adam Zampa no one else threatened to take the chase on. Mitchell Starc top and tailed the innings to take a career-best 4 for 20.
West Indies now continue their preparations with two official warm-up matches against UAE and Netherlands while Australia - minus their first-choice bowlers and Glenn Maxwell - head to Perth to face England before two more games in Canberra.
Warner goes it alone
It wasn't so much Australia against West Indies early on, but Warner against West Indies. Of the 45 runs in the powerplay, Warner made 37. Of the 96 when he was dismissed, he had made 75. His first six was a sweep off Jason Holder's slower ball and the timing was impeccable throughout with his last six, a straight drive off Obed McCoy, among the best of his strokes. Given the way he had dominated the scoring, and the fact the innings was only just past halfway, there were thoughts turning towards what could be possible when he was caught and bowled by Odean Smith.
It wasn't so much Australia against West Indies early on, but Warner against West Indies. Of the 45 runs in the powerplay, Warner made 37. Of the 96 when he was dismissed, he had made 75. His first six was a sweep off Jason Holder's slower ball and the timing was impeccable throughout with his last six, a straight drive off Obed McCoy, among the best of his strokes. Given the way he had dominated the scoring, and the fact the innings was only just past halfway, there were thoughts turning towards what could be possible when he was caught and bowled by Odean Smith.
David fires, rest of middle order not so much
It was an innings of contrasts from Australia. While Warner motored, Finch stuttered with an ungainly 15 off 19 balls. Then as David lit up the latter part of the innings, life was much harder for Steven Smith who managed 17 off 16 deliveries. To add to that was Maxwell's run out, which ultimately looked his error albeit Smith had started to come, and it meant another short stay. Maxwell's lack of recent runs makes it a little curious he is missing the next game in Perth. However, David did what he has done so many times around the world in recent times - leather the ball into the stands with awesome power. And again he gave himself a little bit of time: 12 off 10 balls became 42 off 20 in the blink of an eye.
It was an innings of contrasts from Australia. While Warner motored, Finch stuttered with an ungainly 15 off 19 balls. Then as David lit up the latter part of the innings, life was much harder for Steven Smith who managed 17 off 16 deliveries. To add to that was Maxwell's run out, which ultimately looked his error albeit Smith had started to come, and it meant another short stay. Maxwell's lack of recent runs makes it a little curious he is missing the next game in Perth. However, David did what he has done so many times around the world in recent times - leather the ball into the stands with awesome power. And again he gave himself a little bit of time: 12 off 10 balls became 42 off 20 in the blink of an eye.
Over-rate issues
West Indies were so slow that they had to have an extra fielder inside the ring for the final two overs. But they contended with it well, the last two going for 16 runs as Australia didn't quite pull off the ideal finish. After David's dismissal they made just 21 off the last 19 deliveries. A big part in the good finish from West Indies was Alzarri Joseph who went for 11 in his last two, completing an impressive pair of outings early in the tour. Australia, too, were slow and bowled their last over with five inside the ring. Neither team faced severe consequences for this error tonight, but that may not be so lucky at the World Cup.
West Indies were so slow that they had to have an extra fielder inside the ring for the final two overs. But they contended with it well, the last two going for 16 runs as Australia didn't quite pull off the ideal finish. After David's dismissal they made just 21 off the last 19 deliveries. A big part in the good finish from West Indies was Alzarri Joseph who went for 11 in his last two, completing an impressive pair of outings early in the tour. Australia, too, were slow and bowled their last over with five inside the ring. Neither team faced severe consequences for this error tonight, but that may not be so lucky at the World Cup.
Can West Indies find the batting balance?
Both powerplay scores were identical: 45 for 1. So it may seem harsh to single out West Indies, but the 24 dot balls they faced in the first six suggested there were a few runs left unscored. Australia faced 18 in the same period. The batters are still trying to find touch after a long journey, but there was a significant amount of swinging and missing, especially from Johnson Charles.
Both powerplay scores were identical: 45 for 1. So it may seem harsh to single out West Indies, but the 24 dot balls they faced in the first six suggested there were a few runs left unscored. Australia faced 18 in the same period. The batters are still trying to find touch after a long journey, but there was a significant amount of swinging and missing, especially from Johnson Charles.
Another Gabba special from Starc
It didn't quite have the same impact or feeling as his first ball in the Ashes to Rory Burns, but Starc again did something special in his first over at the Gabba. After Kyle Mayers, who played a shot for the ages at Metricon Stadium, produced a wonderful straight drive for six, Starc somehow managed to grab hold of a fiercely struck straight drive in front of his shin. It was a good evening for Starc who also claimed the key wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Holder as West Indies never really threatened to chase the target. They have work to do before their World Cup begins.
It didn't quite have the same impact or feeling as his first ball in the Ashes to Rory Burns, but Starc again did something special in his first over at the Gabba. After Kyle Mayers, who played a shot for the ages at Metricon Stadium, produced a wonderful straight drive for six, Starc somehow managed to grab hold of a fiercely struck straight drive in front of his shin. It was a good evening for Starc who also claimed the key wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Holder as West Indies never really threatened to chase the target. They have work to do before their World Cup begins.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo