West Indies skipper’s ‘masterclass’ puts Aussies to the sword
Australian cricketer Tim David left jaws on the floor as he delivered an innings for the ages against the West Indies.
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Australia secured the series victory against the West Indies on Saturday with Tim David delivering a historic innings at Warner Park in Saint Kitts.
The Aussies were set 215 runs to make it three wins in a row and while it looked dicey halfway through the chase, David flipped the script in absurd scenes.
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After the ninth over, the Aussies found themselves at 4/92 before David flicked the switch and went after the West Indies attack.
The middle order star etched his name into the record books by registering the fastest ever half-century and century by an Australian in a T20 international contest.
He needed only 16 deliveries to bring up his half-century and brought up his century off 37 deliveries as he guided the Aussies home.
In one blistering passage, he led the way as he and Mitchell Owen scored 71 runs over the course of three overs.
“This is a momentum-changing knock here from Tim David,” Brad Haddin said, while his fellow commentator Samuel Badree added: “This is insane level batting”.
The absurd innings left cricket fans watching on in sheer disbelief after the level of hitting that was being displayed.
Sports journo David Moore wrote on X: “Is Tim David playing Stick Cricket? He is absolutely on a different planet today.”
Journalist Brayden May wrote: “Tim David treating the West Indian bowlers like nan on Christmas Day.”
Another added: “Goodness me this tim david innings is reminiscent of old chris gayle work. he’s smoked about a dozen balls out of the ground today, power hitting of the top most order.’
A third wrote: “What an onslaught by Tim David. He has singlehandedly taken the game away from West Indies.”
David’s electric display of power-hitting saw him named the player of the match.
“It was just having a great time out in the middle playing for the Australian team and every opportunity we get to play out here, we want to make the most of it,” David said.
“I didn’t think I would have an opportunity to score one hundred for Australia, so I am so glad for the opportunity and just stoked.
“The pitch was good and obviously there was a strong breeze, so you have to back your strengths. I am obviously at my best when I am attacking.”
With the West Indies needing to win in order to keep their hopes alive in the five match series, Hope batted superbly when scoring an unbeaten 102 to lead his nation to 4-214 from the full allotment of overs.
The star West Indian Hope joined Chris Gayle as the only batters from the Caribbean to score centuries in all formats of the game when scoring his maiden T20 century from 57 deliveries.
Despite his best efforts, the tally wasn’t enough as Australia’s middle order exploded and snatched victory away.
With the series now wrapped up by the Aussies the final two matches mean little with the hosts hoping they can snag at least one victory for their fans.
The fourth match in the series gets underway on Sunday from 9am (AEST).
Originally published as West Indies skipper’s ‘masterclass’ puts Aussies to the sword
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