Australia records first five-match T20 clean sweep with victory in final match in West Indies

Australian cricket has achieved a historic first as young guns helped deliver a perfect 5-0 series victory over the West Indies in the Caribbean.

A T20 “transition” is happening in real time and tracking towards World Cup success, according to spin star Adam Zampa, as Australia completed a first-ever 5-0 series clean sweep against the West Indies in Basseterre.

In the absence of key fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, Ben Dwarshius and Nathan Ellis combined for five wickets to roll the home team for just 170 batting first in the final encounter.

A golden duck to fill-in opener Glenn Maxwell as a part of a top-order collapse that reduced the tourists to 3-25 put the chase in jeopardy.

But then Tim David smashed 30 runs off 12 balls and the powerful Australian middle order, including revelation Mitch Owen (37 off 16) and man of the series Cameron Green (32 off 17), pushed hard to set up the history-making, three-wicket win with three overs to spare.

“I didn’t expect 5-0 at the start of the series,” captain Mitch Marsh said.

“But we played some great cricket. It was something we spoke about after the fourth game. We knew no Australian team had completed a clean sweep. 

Cameron Green continued to smash the West Indies attack. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

“We’ve had guys come in and played different roles for us. We spoke pre-tour about having flexibility and fluidity as a group.

“The way T20 is going teams just keep going now and it’s exciting and hopefully we can continue our power hitting.”

Owen and Green smashed 22 runs off the eighth over, the biggest haul of the game, with the duo and David combining for nine fours and seven sixes, including one Owen smashed out of the ground as the new power-hitting Aussies showed the way.

“I’m still trying to work T20 batting out. I had some great partnerships during the series,” said Green, who hopes to be back bowling soon.

Playing in his 100th T20 international, becoming just the fourth Australian to reach the mark, Zampa said the team’s rebuilding had taken a huge step in the West Indies.

The emergence of Green in the batting order, debuts for Owen and spinner Matt Kuhnemann, as well as an increased presence from all-rounder Aaron Hardie and more game time for left-arm quick Dwarshius, were all standouts.

Zampa, who hasn’t missed a T20 international for 18 months, said it all pointed the team in the right direction ahead of the next World Cup in 2026 in India.

“We’ve been playing really good cricket; our World Cups haven’t gone to plan the last couple, but there’s a lot of new guys, new faces and new roles, so getting ready for whatever pops up in that T20 World Cup. It’s all (about) the build up to that,” he said.

Alzarri Joseph was bowled by Adam Zampa. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

“I’ve seen a transition in the way that T20 is played in particular and the depth that we’ve got.

“Guys like Mitch Owen, (have) a lot of power (and there’s) a lot of dynamic players through the middle, guys that can hit it out of the ground.

“That’s just the way T20 is going and it’s the way that we’re playing our game as well and it’s really exciting.”

SPINNER JOINS 100 CLUB

Zampa became the fourth Australian, but first bowler, to play 100 T20 internationals, joining Maxwell (120), David Warner (110) and Aaron Finch (103), and is his country’s most prolific wicket-taker in the format with 124 wickets.

He’s also played 100 ODIs and his combined 221 white-ball appearances puts him in the same company as Aussie bowling greats Glenn McGrath (250 ODIs and two T20Is) and Brett Lee (221 ODIs and 25 T20Is).

“A proud moment to play 100 T20 internationals, not many of us have done it,” Zampa said.

Adam Zampa in his 100th T20 international for Australia. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

“I’ve played a lot more than I thought I would … it’s a nice achievement, it goes to show the longevity and I’ve just tried to make this spot mine.

“I love playing for Australia and I’ve always tried to put that first. I’ve always made sure that I’m tip-top for these games, it’s something I pride myself on.”

Originally published as Australia records first five-match T20 clean sweep with victory in final match in West Indies