Ben Dwarshuis was instrumental in Australia’s victory over the West Indies in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, securing a 5-0 sweep of the T20I series. He dismissed both opening batsmen and claimed the crucial wicket of top-scorer Shimron Hetmyer.
Chasing a modest target of 171 in the fifth T20I, Australia staged a remarkable recovery from early setbacks of 25-3 and 60-4, ultimately reaching 173-7 with three overs remaining. Cameron Green provided stability in the middle order with 32 runs, while the big-hitting Tim David accelerated to 30 off just 12 balls, featuring four sixes and a four. Mitchell Owen also contributed significantly with 37 runs. When Green departed, Australia were at 141-6, still requiring 30 runs, which briefly gave the West Indies hope of a consolation win. However, Aaron Hardie maintained his composure, guiding Australia to a three-wicket victory with an unbeaten 28 runs.
“I didn’t expect 5-0 at the start of the series. But we played some great cricket,” remarked Australia captain Mitchell Marsh. West Indies captain Shai Hope identified his team’s consistent batting struggles as the reason for their inability to secure a single win. “We never put together a proper batting display. We either started well or finished poorly or the other way round,” Hope explained. “Against a quality team you can’t get away with that.”
The West Indies faced early trouble after Marsh won the toss and elected to bowl. Dwarshuis quickly removed Brandon King for 11 and Hope for nine, reducing the hosts to 22-2 in the fourth over. The score then progressed to 64-4 before Hetmyer led a fightback, smashing three fours and three sixes on his way to a half-century. It appeared the left-hander might steer the West Indies to a challenging total, but Dwarshuis returned to induce a miscue from a slower bouncer, caught by Sean Abbott at long-off. Hetmyer’s dismissal for 52 from 31 balls left 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,” commented Dwarshuis, who was named player of the match. Australia had also won the three Tests preceding the T20I series, thereby completing a comprehensive sweep of all eight matches on the tour.
