Tim David stunned a packed Warner Park crowd with a blistering century off just 37 balls — the fastest in Australia's T20I history — to guide his side to a six-wicket win over the West Indies and clinch the series in sensational fashion.
Chasing a daunting 215, Australia looked vulnerable at 87 for 4 in the ninth over, but David’s breathtaking display of power-hitting quickly turned the game on its head. He smashed 102 not out, laced with 11 towering sixes, as Australia cruised to victory with 23 deliveries to spare.
Earlier, West Indies posted a formidable 214 for 4 on the back of captain Shai Hope’s maiden T20I century. Hope carried his bat through the innings with an unbeaten 102 off 55 balls, including a 125-run opening partnership with Brandon King, who struck a brisk 62.
Despite the imposing total, the hosts couldn’t contain David’s carnage. The Australian middle-order batter reached his fifty in just 16 balls — also a national record — and went on to complete his century with the very boundary that sealed the match.
He was ably supported by Mitchell Owen, who hammered 36 off just 16 balls in a blistering 128-run partnership for the fifth wicket that came off a mere 46 deliveries. In only his debut series, Owen showed poise and power, even clearing the ropes when Rovman Powell misjudged the boundary line while attempting a catch.
David’s assault began in the 10th over when he clubbed Gudakesh Motie for four consecutive sixes, then followed it up with two more in the next over off Akeal Hosein. He tactically retained the strike by denying singles and targeted offspinner Roston Chase, taking three more sixes in his over.
West Indies did have an opportunity to dismiss David on 90, but King dropped a regulation catch at deep midwicket, allowing the Australian batter to complete his landmark knock.
For the hosts, Shai Hope’s innings stood out as he anchored their innings with controlled aggression. Initially slow to get going, he accelerated with attacking strokes, particularly taking down Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa during the middle overs. His half-century came from 26 balls, and although it took him eight more deliveries to move from 92 to 100, he finished unbeaten.
But despite Hope’s heroics, West Indies lost momentum in the final overs, managing only 36 runs from overs 15 to 18. Sherfane Rutherford struggled for fluency with a 12 off 13, stalling the charge.
Australia's bowlers had to work hard on the small ground, where even mis-hits cleared the fence. But Sean Abbott emerged as a standout, returning exceptional figures of 4-0-21-0 — including 14 dot balls — in a high-scoring match. He bowled with discipline, especially in the powerplay and again during the crucial 17th over.
Nathan Ellis also impressed late in the innings, conceding just six runs off the 18th, helping Australia restrict the damage despite lapses in fielding.
With this win, Australia sealed the T20I series in emphatic style, and David’s record-breaking knock will go down as one of the finest in the format’s history.
Match Summary
West Indies 214 for 4 (Hope 102*, King 62)
Australia 215 for 4 in 16.1 overs (David 102*, Owen 36*)
Australia won by six wickets
— the fastest in Australia's T20I history — to guide his side to a six-wicket win over the West Indies and clinch the series in sensational fashion.
Chasing a daunting 215, Australia looked vulnerable at 87 for 4 in the ninth over, but David’s breathtaking display of power-hitting quickly turned the game on its head. He smashed 102 not out, laced with 11 towering sixes, as Australia cruised to victory with 23 deliveries to spare.
Earlier, West Indies posted a formidable 214 for 4 on the back of captain Shai Hope’s maiden T20I century. Hope carried his bat through the innings with an unbeaten 102 off 55 balls, including a 125-run opening partnership with Brandon King, who struck a brisk 62.
Despite the imposing total, the hosts couldn’t contain David’s carnage. The Australian middle-order batter reached his fifty in just 16 balls — also a national record — and went on to complete his century with the very boundary that sealed the match.
He was ably supported by Mitchell Owen, who hammered 36 off just 16 balls in a blistering 128-run partnership for the fifth wicket that came off a mere 46 deliveries. In only his debut series, Owen showed poise and power, even clearing the ropes when Rovman Powell misjudged the boundary line while attempting a catch.
David’s assault began in the 10th over when he clubbed Gudakesh Motie for four consecutive sixes, then followed it up with two more in the next over off Akeal Hosein. He tactically retained the strike by denying singles and targeted offspinner Roston Chase, taking three more sixes in his over.
West Indies did have an opportunity to dismiss David on 90, but King dropped a regulation catch at deep midwicket, allowing the Australian batter to complete his landmark knock.
For the hosts, Shai Hope’s innings stood out as he anchored their innings with controlled aggression. Initially slow to get going, he accelerated with attacking strokes, particularly taking down Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa during the middle overs. His half-century came from 26 balls, and although it took him eight more deliveries to move from 92 to 100, he finished unbeaten.
But despite Hope’s heroics, West Indies lost momentum in the final overs, managing only 36 runs from overs 15 to 18. Sherfane Rutherford struggled for fluency with a 12 off 13, stalling the charge.
Australia's bowlers had to work hard on the small ground, where even mis-hits cleared the fence. But Sean Abbott emerged as a standout, returning exceptional figures of 4-0-21-0 — including 14 dot balls — in a high-scoring match. He bowled with discipline, especially in the powerplay and again during the crucial 17th over.
Nathan Ellis also impressed late in the innings, conceding just six runs off the 18th, helping Australia restrict the damage despite lapses in fielding.
With this win, Australia sealed the T20I series in emphatic style, and David’s record-breaking knock will go down as one of the finest in the format’s history.
Match Summary
West Indies 214 for 4 (Hope 102*, King 62)
Australia 215 for 4 in 16.1 overs (David 102*, Owen 36*)
Australia won by six wickets