Australia thump West Indies after Inglis and Green masterclass

Cameron Green brutalised the West Indies bowlers for the second time in as many matches, this time aided by the impish Josh Inglis, to give Australia a 2-0 lead after Andre Russell’s final two Twenty20 internationals.

A partisan crowd at Sabina Park was briefly thrilled by Russell’s parting 36 from 15 balls, but were later having to duck for cover as Inglis (78 from 33) and Green (56 from 32) made remarkably short work of a chase for 173 to win, rushing to the target with 28 balls to spare.

Cameron Green and Josh Inglis put on a masterclass at Sabina Park.

Glenn Maxwell had been promoted to open and made a momentary dent in the left-arm spin of Akeal Hosein, before his exit to Jason Holder was soon followed by that of captain Mitchell Marsh. At 2-42 in the sixth over this game was in dispute, but Inglis and Green had other ideas as they added 131 in a mere 59 balls.

Both sides struck 12 sixes apiece, but Inglis, Green and the rest of the Australian top four totalled 24 boundaries in all, well clear of the West Indies’ tally of 19. Russell, for what it’s worth, reckoned that the West Indies total was at least 20 runs short of being competitive.

The combatants were somewhat sloppy in the field, shelling seven catches between them. However, Australia’s target was kept manageable by the diligence of a bowling attack that has succeeded in corralling the Caribbean side’s big hitters for successive games on a ground of small dimensions.

Adam Zampa (3-29) did not take a wicket in game one, but he made up for it this time around, while Nathan Ellis (2-34), Maxwell (2-15) and the Twenty20 debutant Matt Kuhnemann all played their roles soundly.

“We dropped four catches along with them [West Indies], so we need to sharpen up there, but I think just all around, the West Indies can put you under a lot of pressure,” Marsh said. “I thought our spinners were fantastic. Our fifth bowling option as a collective was really good.

Mitch Owen goes big in the first Twenty20.Credit: AFP

“They made use of the conditions and then, Josh Inglis is playing like that, there aren’t many bowlers in the world that can bowl to him, so that was outstanding.”

Inglis has long been capable of inflicting rare damage on white-ball bowling attacks, and already has two T20 international centuries under his belt.

But with each such destructive innings, Inglis will add to the temptation for Australia’s selectors to toss him back into Test cricket during the home Ashes summer, perhaps in place of Beau Webster at No.6.

That kind of scenario will only be possible if Green is back bowling well, to ease pressure on Australia’s ageing frontliners, but the growing authority he has shown at the batting crease on this tour can only help.

“We dropped four catches along with them (the West Indies), so we need to sharpen up there, but I think just all around, the West Indies can put you under a lot of pressure.

“I thought our spinners were fantastic. Our fifth bowling option as a collective was really good.

“They made use of the conditions and then, Josh Inglis is playing like that, there aren’t many bowlers in the world that can bowl to him, so that was outstanding.”

Ben Dwarshuis, Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green.Credit: Twitter

What a dominant display in Kingston.

Josh Inglis (78 off 33 balls) and Cameron Green (56 off 32) have put on a magnificent 131-run stand to get Australia home by eight wickets with 28 deliveries remaining.

Despite the early loss of Glenn Maxwell (12 off 10) and Mitch Marsh (21 off 17), Inglis and Green were completely dominant against a West Indies attack bereft of answers. There were a number of dropped catches and Australia made the hosts pay in a big way after initially being 2-42 after 5.3 overs.

Great batting as Australia finish on 2-173 and take a 2-0 lead with three matches to play. The next game is on Saturday at 10am AEST.

Inglis and Green hit nine sixes between them. Dangerous scenes being in the stands at Sabina Park when those two are on song.

Australia are putting on a clinic at the moment.

With a cover drive to the boundary, Cam Green brings up a half century from 28 balls.

Hasn’t taken any crazy risks and has made full use of the short boundaries straight.

All but over now as Inglis smashes a six over mid-wicket. Run chases don’t come much better.

Australia 2-167, require six off 32 balls

Not ideal.

Josh Inglis skies a ball and Jason Holder runs back to take the catch but make a meal of it. Didn’t look like grabbing it. Needed that to stay in the game did the Windies.

Salt in the wound as Cam Green carts Holder for six over mid-wicket next ball. Happens so often.

Inglis is taking the mickey now. Clubs one over fine leg to go to 67 off 30 balls. Heck of an innings.

The 100-run partnership comes off 52 balls. Things really falling apart for the Windies here.

Australia 2-147 after 14 overs, require 26 from 36 balls

Cam Green whacks Motie for a six down the ground and a four to ensure his side remains in an auspicious position to get the job done.

Eight wickets in the sheds is a great spot to be in.

Australia 2-128, require 45 runs from 42 balls.

Andre Russell bangs one into the deck but Inglis follows through and creams it onto the roof of Sabina Park straight down the ground. So much for Russell’s farewell match…

It’s been an impressive half century from Inglis and it comes off 22 balls. Fun fact ... Inglis has two T20I hundreds (110 vs India in 2023 and 103 vs Scotland in 2024) but has never made a score between 50 and 100 in this format.

Wow. Arguably an even more impressive shot as Inglis plays a reverse ramp for four. The fact it was so full and fast … superb. Then another two balls later, this time over the wicketkeeper. Ridiculous 360 degree batting.

Australia in a strong position to take a 2-0 lead in this five-match series

Australia 2-116, require 57 off 48 balls

The visitors have consolidated nicely after the early loss of Maxwell and Marsh.

A lovely mix of singles and big bombs to keep the scoreboard ticking over and get that required run rate under eight an over.

If this pair can bat for another five overs, call it off. Inglis is 44 and Green 21.

Australia 2-100 after 11 overs, require 73 runs off 54 balls

Inglis really ups the tempo with a six over mid-wicket off Motie. Very clever use of the crease, rocking back to thump one into the stands towards the Kingston Cricket Club.

Cam Green now cracks one out of Sabina Park over square leg. Australia’s batsmen had a centre wicket practice session with pink balls under lights three days before the third Test.

Green, clearly with one eye on the T20 series that followed, was belting balls out of the ground. Similar shot just then.

At the halfway mark, Australia look like they should get the job done.

Australia 2-95, require 78 off 60 balls

Alzarri Joseph is copping a bit of tap as Josh Inglis goes 6, 4, 4, from balls one, five and six of Joseph’s second over.

Now has figures of 1-28 from two.

Australia’s have got that required run rate a little bit more under control.

Australia 2-72 from eight overs, require 101 in 72 balls