Australia produced a dominant all-round performance to clinch the second T20I against West Indies by eight wickets, sealing the series 2-0 and dashing hopes of a fairytale farewell for Andre Russell in front of his home crowd.
Andre Russell’s emotional farewell
The evening began with high emotion as Russell took the field for his final T20I in West Indies colours. The 37-year-old, a two-time T20 World Cup winner, was honoured with a guard of honour by teammates and the Australian players and given a commemorative memento to mark the occasion. Russell did not disappoint his adoring Kingston fans, blasting a vintage 36 off just 15 balls, featuring two fours and four towering sixes, to inject much-needed impetus into the West Indies’ innings.
Coming in at a precarious 98/5, Russell counterattacked with trademark flair. Three of his sixes came off a single Ben Dwarshuis over, sending the crowd into a frenzy, and lifted the hosts to a competitive total before he fell to Nathan Ellis in the 17th over. As he walked off Sabina Park for the final time in maroon, Russell received a prolonged standing ovation—his legacy as a T20 superstar secure.
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Josh Inglis, Cameron Green flatten hosts
Opener Brandon King set up the innings with an aggressive 51 off 36 balls, cracking three fours and four sixes. But Adam Zampa (3/29) put the brakes on, dismissing King with a superb caught and bowled while Glenn Maxwell (2/15) was incisive through the middle overs. West Indies managed 172/8 at the end of their 20 overs—a competitive, but not imposing, total.
Australia’s reply was both ruthless and clinical. Inglis, promoted to open with Mitchell Marsh, set the tempo from the outset, hammering boundaries at will. His 33-ball blitz included 7 fours and five 5 and put Australia in cruise control.
Green, coming in at No.3, built on the foundation, showing maturity and intent with his 56 not out off 32 balls as the pair added 116 in just 8.5 overs, effectively sealing the match in just 15.2 overs.
Captain Marsh and Glenn Maxwell chipped in as spectators watched Australia reach 173/2 in only 15.2 overs, underlining their dominance with a run rate exceeding 11 an over.
With this victory, Australia not only secured the series but also spoiled Russell’s farewell party, turning what should have been a night of celebration for the Jamaican into a somber ending for the home side.
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