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Sean Abbott ‘can do no wrong’ in brutal Aussie ‘whitewash’

Australia’s batters failed miserably at the SCG but a man who can’t regularly crack the side has shown he can do it all.

James Dampney and Andrew McMurtry
9 min read
February 5, 2024 - 5:49AM
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Australia has survived it’s batter blushes to thrash the West Indies by 84 runs at the SCG.

While Australia were heavily favoured to wipe the floor with the visitors, and although they ultimately did, it was largely thanks to the bowlers as the top-order crumbled.

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Welcoming Jake Fraser-McGurk for his Australian debut, the world record holder for his 29-ball hundred in the domestic Marsh Cup late last year, the young gun showed a glimpse of his prodigious talent, hitting his third ball for four and fourth ball for a massive six.

But he was dismissed the next ball, with Josh Inglis and Steve Smith following soon after with the top order struggling to get away.

Despite some starts, it was looking dire at 6/142 when Sean Abbott came to the crease.

Abbott has been a long-term fringe player for Australia but with 22 overs remaining, Abbott set to work with the bat, rescuing the Aussies.

Along with Sutherland, who hit 18 on debut, the pair combined for a 57-run stand to push Australia past 200 and ultimately to 9/258.

Abbott’s 69 off 63 balls was his highest ODI score and second half-century in the format.

But while he’d done the hard yards with the bat, Abbott sealed his man of the match display in the field.

Abbott gave a big reminder to selectors that he can do it all, completing a brilliant all-round performance, taking 3/40 off his 10 overs as well as two tricky catches.

Abbott did it all. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images
Abbott did it all. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images
69 runs, three wickets and two catches — quite a day out for Sean Abbott. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images
69 runs, three wickets and two catches — quite a day out for Sean Abbott. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Both were skied with the first launched into the stratosphere by Alick Athanaze, who was looking good with two boundaries in his 11.

While his second catch off Romario Shepherd was far more straightforward, it was Will Sutherland’s first in Australian colours.

The result wraps up the three-match series in two matches, as the reigning World Cup winner flexed their muscle despite resting much of their champion side.

The third and final match will be played on Tuesday at Canberra’s Manuka Oval.

8.57pm — Aussies freak ‘can do no wrong’

Sean Abbott is on fire. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images
Sean Abbott is on fire. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Sean Abbott has had the all-round game of his life for Australia against the West Indies, saving the day after his batters failed.

Coming to the crease at 6/142, Abbott top scored with his highest ODI score, smashing 69 off just 63 balls including four sixes to lift Australia to 9/258 at the end of their 50 overs.

But while he almost certainly had the man of the match award wrapped up by the change of innings, Abbott gave a big reminder to selectors that he can do it all, completing a brilliant all-round performance.

Abbott has 2/25 off seven overs as well as taking two tricky catches.

Both were skied with the first launched into the stratosphere by Alick Athanaze, who was looking good with two boundaries in his 11.

While his second catch off Romario Shepherd was far more straightforward, it was Will Sutherland’s first in Australian colours.

While Josh Hazlewood has taken three wickets, Abbott has been exceptional in giving Australia a likely victory.

8.28pm – Aussie bowlers to the rescue

Sometimes the West Indies are too cool for their own good.

The visitors have been in no hurry against Australia as Keacy Carty again came to the rescue for the West Indies.

But the side’s slow going has come back to bite him after a big shot on 40 drew an edge to make it 5/108.

While in a T20 World, 8 to 10 run per over for the final 10 is usually no sweat, the worrying thing will be the fact wickets keep tumbling.

7.06pm – Aussies up for the fight

The bowlers are saving the day for Australia after a shocker with the bat.

After the bowlers had to come to the rescue to save Australia’s innings, eventually setting 9/258 after slumping to 5/91 and 7/167, the bowlers are doing the job with the ball.

Despite the WinViz showing the Windies were favourites at the change of innings, it’s been quickly flipped on its head as Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott have each taken early wickets.

While it will paper over the reigning world champions’ blushes with the bat as the Windies drop to 3/34 off nine overs, it’s bound raise question marks around Australia’s depth with bat in hand.

6pm – Abbott to the rescue

Just as Australia looked like putting a pretty awful ODI score on the board, up stepped Sean Abbott.

The all-rounder batted superbly, clubbing a career-best 69 from 63 balls in Australia’s final score of 9/258 from its 50 overs.

In an eventful innings, one of Abbott’s four sixes was misjudged horribly by a member of the crowd, who wore the ball square in the face, drawing some blood.

Sean Abbott has rescued the Australian innings. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Sean Abbott has rescued the Australian innings. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

He was OK apparently and Abbott’s efforts have dragged the home side past 250 runs.

“You’d sense under-par from games we’ve covered here at the SCG,” Kerry O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.

“Three-hundred is around par, the West Indies are favoured here. (Adam) Zampa has a big role to play, as has (Josh) Hazlewood.”

5.25pm – Aussies tick off modest milestone

It was looking improbable for a little while, but Australia has brought up the 200 in a tough batting effort at the SCG.

On a slow pitch, the Aussies have crawled to 7/205 from 43 overs.

Sean Abbott has done well at No. 8, unbeaten on 32, with first-gamer Will Sutherland alongside him on 14.

4.55pm – Wickets keep tumbling

Now it’s seven down for Australia after Matt Short (41) followed the script by getting out on a terrible attempted shot.

Debutant Will Sutherland is now at the crease alongside Sean Abbott (10 not out) in Australia’s 7/168.

Unless someone digs in with the bat for Australia, 200 might be a bridge too far.

4.35pm – Fourth-gamer holds the key

Aaron Hardie, in just his third ODI, and Matt Short in his fourth had put on 51 runs for the sixth wicket as the Australians tried desperately to build a decent total.

The West Indies have struck again, however, removing Hardie for 26 from 36 balls to reduce the Aussies to 6/144 from 29 overs.

It’s going to take some big-hitting from someone in the lower order to set the Windies a decent run chase and Short, who is unbeaten on 28, looms as the key.

“He’s playing nicely Matt Short,” Mark Waugh said in commentary. “He’s a natural stroke-player, I think he just keeps playing his game.”

Matt Short is key to Australia building a decent total. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Matt Short is key to Australia building a decent total. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

4.05pm – Windies well on top

It’s a well-worn adage that you can’t judge a cricket match until both sides have had a bat and that could well prove the case at the SCG.

For now, the Australians are not playing well, slumping to 5/108 from their first 20 overs. Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Cam Green are all back in the dressing room in a side missing the dropped Travis Head.

3.45pm – And of course Green is now out

Call it the blogger’s curse, right after saying Cam Green has helped steady the innings he makes the long walk back to the dressing room.

Coincidentally it also came right as Kerry O’Keeffe questioned whether Oshane Thomas should have been in the side at this ground.

The tourists have only used pace bowlers to far and O’Keeffe made his feelings clear about that approach.

“I think the West Indies have missed a trick,” he said. “I’ve been coming to watch cricket at this ground for 62 years and the straightest bowlers are the most effective.

“They’ve played Oshane Thomas, who bowls crooked, and left out Hayden Walsh, who bowls straight, the leg-spinner. I just don’t get that thinking at all.”

Naturally Thomas then tempted Green into a false stroke, chipping the ball up in the air, caught by Matthew Forde for 33 as drinks come onto the ground.

Cameron Green had looked good prior to his false stroke. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Cameron Green had looked good prior to his false stroke. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

3.40pm – Green, Marnus consolidate

After the flurry of early wickets, Cam Green and Marnus Labuschagne have steadied the innings for the Australians.

Green, who’s hit five boundaries and a six so far, is on 33 from 38 balls, with Labuschagne patiently moving to 23 from 27 deliveries in Australia’s 3/86 from 15 overs.

3.15pm – Now Smith departs

Steve Smith had regained his swagger in recent weeks, finishing not out in the second innings of the second Test against the Windies and again in the opening ODI of this series.

But the West Indies have really seemed up for the fight so far on Sunday, coming off a heavy loss in the opening game.

They would love to see the back of the Aussie skipper, who chopped on from Matthew Forde’s bowling to depart for just five.

Australia is in a spot of bother at 3/61 from 10 overs.

3.05pm – Experienced duo try to settle the hosts

After the short-lived bash and crash of debutant Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis atop the order, which produced a grand total of 19 runs from 16 balls, a couple of more experienced hands are trying to dig in.

Cam Green has managed four boundaries and a six in his 22 from 16 balls, with skipper Steve Smith with him on five, with Australia moving to 2/50 from six overs.

Alzarri Joseph has picked up both wickets for the visitors

Jake Fraser-McGurk could only manage an exciting cameo on debut. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Jake Fraser-McGurk could only manage an exciting cameo on debut. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

2.35pm – New era for the Aussies doesn’t last long

Wow, that was some debut.

There is loads of hype around 21-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk, who made his debut by facing the first ball at the SCG.

“Strap yourselves in,” Michael Vaughan said in commentary. “They could rack up a huge score here Australia.”

Adam Gilchrist agreed.

“This could be very, very exciting indeed,” he added.

Fraser-McGurk gave an insight into his intent by producing an air swing trying to smash the opening ball of the day from Alzarri Joseph over the fence.

He also missed his second ball before hitting his third to the boundary and flicking his fourth over the deep square leg boundary to demonstrate his timing and power.

Joseph got his revenge on ball five, however, drawing the edge as the youngster was caught behind for 10.

2pm – Changes confirmed as the hosts bat

The West Indies have won the toss and sent Australia in to bat, which means cricket fans will get an early look at promising batter Jake Fraser-McGurk.

The 21-year-old is coming off an outstanding Big Bash campaign for the Renegades and will open the batting alongside another relative newcomer in Josh Inglis, playing his 20th ODI.

“Two more debutants which is really exciting,” Smith told Fox Cricket. “Jake Fraser-McGurk, we saw what he did in the Big Bash, he’s great to watch and has had a really good year.

“Will Sutherland as well has worked incredibly hard the last couple of years and knows what he’s doing.

“Jake’s going to open and comes in for Travis Head. Heady’s having a well-earned rest and we’re looking forward to seeing what Jake can do up top.”

Josh Hazlewood also returns for the Aussies.

West Indies: Justin Greaves, Alick Athanaze, Kjorn Ottley, Shai Hope (c/wk), Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Oshane Thomas

Australia: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labsuchagne, Matt Short, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s form for the Renegades has led to his national call-up. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Jake Fraser-McGurk’s form for the Renegades has led to his national call-up. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

1.30pm – Steve Smith back at his brilliant best

If we all didn’t know it already, it’s probably not wise to write off Steve Smith.

Talk over Smith’s shift to open the batting dominated the start of the cricket summer and got louder after a couple of scratchy early attempts.

But his unbeaten 91 carrying his bat in the second innings against the West Indies, falling agonisingly short of carrying Australia to victory at the same time, silenced all that.

The man himself couldn’t resist a cheeky backhander at the critics after Smith reminded all he’s now averaging 60 as an opener.

That form marched on with another unbeaten 79 in the first ODI and fans will be keen to see his next act at the SCG.

Steve Smith has been back to his best of late. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Steve Smith has been back to his best of late. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

1.15pm – Surprise Travis Head move

As keen cricket followers know, Travis Head has been one of the most in-form and destructive members of this Australian side in all formats over the past year.

He collected man of the match awards for fun during the World Test Championship and Australia’s stunning march to last year’s ODI World Cup victory.

Travis Head being dismissed for a duck in the second Test against the West Indies and dropping a catch in the opening ODI on Friday. Photos: AFP and Getty Images
Travis Head being dismissed for a duck in the second Test against the West Indies and dropping a catch in the opening ODI on Friday. Photos: AFP and Getty Images

Following another player of the match award after his century in the first Test against the Windies, the 30-year-old’s form had been slightly patchy, getting a king pair in the second Test in Brisbane before being dismissed for four from five balls opening the batting in the first ODI on Friday.

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It’s unlikely the original plan would be for Head to only play the first fixture of a three-match ODI series, but that is what’s now happening, with the South Australian rested from the remainder of this series and the T20 series that quickly follows.

The word from Cricket Australia is Head is being given a chance to “refresh” and after his past 12 months of cricket, it might be what he needs to recharge ahead of the Test series in New Zealand starting later this month.

Player of the match in the first ODI, fast-bowling debutant Xavier Bartlett, is also being rested from the second ODI but will return for game three in Canberra on Tuesday.

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