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Australia’s frontline speedster Mitchell Starc dominated the proceedings in the first One-Day Internationals (ODI) against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, in Barbados on Tuesday. Starc’s impressive performance with the ball helped the visitors in registering a thumping victory to go 1-0 up in the ongoing three-match series.
Chasing 257 (DLS target), the hosts witnessed one of the worst batting collapses to eventually fold up for 123, losing the contest by a massive margin of 133 runs. Starc ran through the Caribbean batting unit to pick up a five-wicket haul for 48 runs in 8 overs, including a maiden. It was Starc’s eighth 5-fer in the 50-overs format. Apart from the left-armer, Josh Hazlewood also impressed with three scalps to his name in six overs while conceding only 11 runs.
Only Kieron Pollard was able to stand tall in front of a lethal Aussie bowling attack. The West Indies skipper scored 56 runs from 57 deliveries to save his side from the threat of a record low score as the Windies were struggling at 27/6 at one stage.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Australia posted 252/9 on the scoreboard in 49 overs (the match got reduced to 49 overs per side due to rain). Stand-in captain Alex Carey shined with the bat and ended the innings as the top-scorer.
Carey made 67 off 87 balls and formed a crucial 104-run partnership with Ashton Turner (49) to help the touring party reach a competitive total. Josh Philippe (39), Ben McDermott (28) and Mitchell Marsh (20) also chipped in with valuable contributions.
For the home team, Hayden Walsh bagged his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. Walsh grabbed a fifer for 39 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Aussie Aussie Aussie! Zampa takes the last wicket. Australia wins by 133 runs (DLS). What a win this is. Australia’s bowling unit decimating the WIndies batting lineup in the first ODI. And Starcy’s five wicket haul 🔥 great to see he’s on. #WIvAUS
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 21, 2021
A resounding victory for Alex Carey in his first match as @CricketAus captain 👨✈️
Australia win the first #WIvAUS ODI by 133 runs 🇦🇺
Scorecard 🧮 https://t.co/gVLuSrLBdZ pic.twitter.com/SmBtGQ2eEB
— ICC (@ICC) July 21, 2021
Full list of cricketers with more ODI wickets at a better bowling average than Mitchell Starc:
Saqlain Mushtaq
Glenn McGrath
Allan Donald#WIvAUS— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) July 21, 2021
Mitchell Starc's eighth five-wicket haul in ODIs gets our series off to the perfect start! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gCfJAvTN4V
— Australian Cricketers' Association (@ACA_Players) July 21, 2021
Starc has produced two brilliant spells of bowling tonight #WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/dPdI2pm4kR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) July 21, 2021
Alex Carey seems so much more comfortable changing gears while batting in ODIs as compared to T20Is as his career strike rate of 90+ suggests #WIvAUS
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) July 20, 2021
Alex Carey top scores in his first game as ODI captain, Mitch Starc takes five wickets…
And Australia thump the West Indies by 133 runs in the first ODI 😮#WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/iOHVkw3u8u
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) July 21, 2021
Big day for South Australia cricket:
Alex Carey captains Australia and Wes Agar makes his international debut#WIvAUS
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) July 20, 2021
A big congratulations to former GIANT Alex Carey who will become the 26th man to captain Australia in ODI cricket tomorrow!#BigBigSound pic.twitter.com/FaOTYHC6or
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) July 19, 2021
Mitchell Starc blew WI away with his 5-48 as Australia won the 1st ODI by 133 runs! #WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/MXBiOG5rwZ
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) July 21, 2021
8th five-wicket haul for Mitchell Starc from 97 ODI matches, he also has 11 four-wicket hauls. The opening spell was just total fire. #WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/KMgl4cR5Zh
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 21, 2021
Mitchell Starc powers Australia to big win over West Indies.#WIvAUS Scorecard: https://t.co/00gOz8TrMi pic.twitter.com/I01E9w1a6Q
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 21, 2021