Australia won the series 2-1 against West Indies with a one-sided victory in the third ODI

A scintillating half-century from wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade (51) and all-rounder Ashton Agar (19, 2/31) led Australia to a six-wicket win over West Indies in the third and final decider of ODIs here on Monday. Won the series of matches 2-1.

With the aim of giving a big target, winning the toss and opting to bat first, the host West Indies team was reduced to Australia’s bowling. Australian bowlers bowled out Windies for just 152 runs in 45.1 overs. Opener Evin Lewis was the only batsman to score an unbeaten half-century. Lewis scored an unbeaten 55 off 66 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. He held one end from start to finish, but wickets kept falling at the other end and eventually the team was reduced to 152 runs.

In reply, Achar Australia scored 153 for four in 30.3 overs to win both the match and the series, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Matthew Wade and an unbeaten 19 from Agar. Wade made 51 off 52 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes, while Agar scored 19 runs off 33 balls with the help of three fours. Apart from him, captain Alex Carey scored 33 runs in 50 balls with the help of three fours and Mitchell Marsh scored 29 runs in 21 balls with the help of one four and three sixes.

Australia’s bowling was also excellent. Prominent and experienced bowler Mitchell Starc kept the form intact, taking the highest three wickets for 43 runs in 9.1 overs. Apart from them, Josh Hazlewood, Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa got two wickets each. Ashton Turner also took a wicket.

Sheldon Cottrell, Akil Hossein, Alzarri Joseph and Hayden Walsh took one wicket each for West Indies. Ashton Turner was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round performance and Mitchell Starc was awarded the ‘Player of the Series’ award for taking 11 wickets in the entire series.