Cricket world blown away by debutant Mitch Owen as he leads Australia to victory over the West Indies

In the last 12 months so much has been made about the dire state of Australia’s batting stocks, but no more, as a debutant proved he is the future.

Mitch Owen has sent the cricket world into raptures after scoring a sizzling half-century on debut, lifting Australia to a win over the West Indies on Monday.

Owen – who emerged as a white-ball star with a century in the Big Bash final opening the batting for the Hobart Hurricanes last summer – was given a middle-order role for Australia’s first T20 against the Windies in Jamaica, and he took the opportunity with both hands.

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Chasing a 190-run target for victory, Australia were in a spot of bother at 4-78 in the ninth over before Owen came to the crease and took the match by the scruff of the neck.

His blistering 26-ball half century made waves, as he produced several big strokes to turn the match on its head.

The 23-year-old Tasmanian powerhouse swatted his first ball down the ground for a massive six off retiring veteran Andre Russell.

Mitch Owen's debut 50 has sent tongues wagging. Image: Kayo

And from there, he added five more maximums as he stormed to 50, reaching his half century with another six before being dismissed the very next ball.

His bold batting effort, set the tailenders up for success as they easily chased down the West Indies’ 8-189 with seven balls to spare.

Owen’s incredible debut, where he also took a wicket with the ball, saw him awarded man of the match honours.

“I’m firstly happy we got the win, it was nice to contribute,” Owen said during the post-match presentation.

“I was lucky enough to got a few away early and was able to settle into my innings.”

Owen’s half century also saw him join the game’s elites.

The Tasmanian joins just Ricky Ponting and David Warner as the only Aussie men to make 50 in their T20 international debuts.

And his performance sent the cricket world into a spin as Aussie fans suddenly felt Australia’s future is looking bright.

“Mitch Owen is the future, what a debut, what a player,” one fan wrote on X following his barnstorming debut.

“Future star. Wow,” another added.

While a third wrote: “Mitch Owen absolutely outstanding on debut for Australia. Doesn’t look out of place at all.”

Others added, “he makes it look so easy” and “Mitchell Owen, remember the name”.

Mitch Owen burst onto the scene with an unbelievable century in last the Big Bash final in January. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Jake Fraser-McGurk fails to impress

Fraser-McGurk didn’t deserve a national call-up, give his horror recent form, and there was no turnaround at Sabina Park, casting a cloud over the future of the one-time batting dynamo.

The 23-year-old had scored just 45 runs in his past five T20 innings, playing for the San Francisco Unicorns in the Major League cricket tournament, after a shocking stint in the IPL on a seven-figure contract.

By virtue of his location, being next door to the West Indies, Fraser-McGurk was called in as an injury replacement and inserted as opener after first-choice Matt Short suffered a side strain.

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s terrible form continued. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

But he never looked like making an impact. It took six balls for him to get off the mark, with a wafty swipe to the leg side, and after three plays and misses, before miscuing a drive to be caught at mid-off for two.

While Short has been ruled out of the series, it would be unpalatable for every other Australian white-ball hopeful if Fraser-McGurk was given another chance.

In his 15 games for Australia across T20s and ODIs, he’s made just 213 runs, with just one half-century.

Australia’s second T20 against the West Indies will take place on Wednesday.

Originally published as Cricket world blown away by debutant Mitch Owen as he leads Australia to victory over the West Indies