By Tim Douglas 
Australia lead the 5 match series 4-0 against the West Indies in the T20I series, chasing down 206 with four balls and three wickets to spare in a tense finish in Basseterre. It was a game filled with fireworks, missed chances, and individual brilliance—but ultimately, Australia’s composure under pressure stood out.
Cameron Green continued his red-hot form, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 55 off 35 deliveries. Despite a mid-innings collapse that threatened to derail the effort, Green calmly finished the job with timely boundaries and smart running between the wickets. It was his third fifty in the series and a firm reminder of his growing stature in Australia’s white-ball setup.
Glenn Maxwell, however, stole the spotlight with a typically explosive 47 off just 18 balls and a jaw-dropping piece of fielding that turned the tide. His athletic catch on the boundary rope—plucking a sure six off Romario Shepherd—was followed by an acrobatic mid-air flick to Green, a moment that encapsulated Australia’s sharpness and West Indies’ woes.
Earlier, West Indies posted 205 for 9, a strong total built on quick cameos rather than a singular standout innings. Remarkably, no batter crossed 34 runs, with Sherfane Rutherford’s 31 being the top score. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the Caribbean side managed to clear the ropes 12 times.
Jediah Blades, playing just his second match, was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 3 for 29. He dismissed Mitchell Marsh early and triggered a collapse later in the innings, removing Owen and Connolly in quick succession. However, fielding lapses once again proved costly—Blades himself dropping a return catch and Shai Hope missing a regulation chance down leg.
Australia’s bowlers, including Adam Zampa (3-54), Aaron Hardie (2-24), and Nathan Ellis (1-21), did well to restrict the West Indies after a rain break. Their control in the final five overs ensured that the target, though steep, remained within reach.
Despite a spirited fight from the hosts and moments of brilliance—particularly from Blades and Shepherd—the match highlighted the contrast in discipline and execution between the two sides. With Green’s steady hand and Maxwell’s X-factor, Australia sealed the deal and the series in style.
Zainab Shafiq