Australia v West Indies: Glenn Maxwell lights up Adelaide with blistering 120 not out

An Australian victory in Adelaide was marred by a bizarre run-out decision from Gerard Abood, who deemed no Australians had appealed - despite loud protests from the home side.

A stunning century to Glenn Maxwell lit up Adelaide Oval on Sunday night, the star batter they call The Big Show belting an unbeaten ton as Australia claimed a series win against the West Indies with a dominant victory in the second T20I clash.

Masterful Maxwell crunched 120 runs from 55 balls, including eight towering sixes and 12 fours, to lead the home side to a record score of 4-241, Australia’s highest T20I total on home soil, after being sent in.

The visitors lost early wickets and were never a realistic chance to run down the daunting target, despite some lusty hitting by Rovman Powell and Andre Russell.

But the doomed run chase was a sideshow to The Big Show, who blasted a half-century from 26 balls and reached triple figures off just 50 deliveries to notch the fastest T20I century recorded in Australia.

Maxwell made headlines for the wrong reasons during a visit to Adelaide in January when a night out with mates ended with him being taken to hospital in an ambulance.

The 35-year-old put those troubles behind him with a jaw-dropping display.

“It was good fun, that’s for sure, I just gave myself a chance,” Maxwell told Fox Cricket.

“It’s a really nice wicket, as we’ve seen during the Big Bash, and it was nice to cash in and spend some time out there.

“I was trying to give myself the best chance to use my hands to guide it into a gap or over the infield and that really seemed to work for me.

“I’ve had a few cursed Adelaide trips … so it’s nice to make this a positive one.”

Maxwell drew level with India’s Rohit Sharma for the most T20 international centuries with his fifth ton for Australia.

Spencer Johnson of Australia runs out Alzarri Joseph of the West Indies, but as no one appealed he was given not out. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

JOHNSON STRIKES

Sean Abbott dropped out of the line-up that scored an 11-run win in the series opener in Hobart with a shoulder injury, with his spot taken by South Australian quick Spencer Johnson.

The local left-armer made the most of his opportunity, removing Pooran with his third delivery and Sherfane Rutherford in his second over.

The match appeared over when Johnson removed the bails with nine balls remaining, with replays showing the batter short of his ground, but umpire Gerard Abood ruled no Australian player had appealed for the run out.

“I appealed, I promise you,” Tim David can be heard pleading with the umpire on the broadcast.

“This is a joke, mate.”

Marcus Stoinis shone with the ball for Australia against the West Indies. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

MAXI THE MAESTRO

David Warner blasted a six and a four off the second and third balls he faced, but soon got bogged down with he and opening partner Josh Inglis missing out after starring in the series opener.

The visitors would have been feeling pretty good about their situation with Australia 3-64 after Mitch Marsh departed in the seventh over following a quickfire 29 from 12 balls.

A frustrated Maxwell had four runs from his first five balls in a scratchy start and would have departed on 10 if Nicholas Pooran had hit the stumps with the jogging batter well short of his ground after being sent back by Marcus Stoinis.

But he quickly shrugged off his frustrations in a sublime display of power hitting that saw two sixes deposited into the second tier of the Max Basheer Stand.

At his inventive best, the Victorian reverse-slogged, flicked, deftly guided and outright bludgeoned balls to or over the boundary rope to the delight of the 19,891 home fans in attendance.

The series concludes at Perth Stadium on Tuesday night, before the Australian side heads to New Zealand for a three-game T20I series and Test matches in Wellington and Christchurch

MAXWELL CENTURY LIGHTS UP ADELAIDE OVAL

A stunning century to Glenn Maxwell has lit up Adelaide Oval, the star batter belting an unbeaten ton in Sunday night’s T20 International against the West Indies.

On-song Maxwell bludgeoned 120 runs from 55 balls, including eight sixes and 12 fours to lead Australia to a record score of 4-241 after being sent in by the visitors.

Maxwell made headlines for all the wrong reasons during his last visit to Adelaide after a night of drinking ended with him being taken to hospital in an ambulance.

But Maxwell, who made 10 in the series opener, bounced back into form with a jaw-dropping display.

Maxwell was at his damaging best. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

“It was good fun, that’s for sure, I just gave myself a chance,” Maxwell told Fox Cricket.

“It’s a really nice wicket, as we’ve seen during the Big Bash, and it was nice to cash in and spend some time out there.

“I was trying to give myself the best chance to use my hands to guide it through a gap or over the infield and that really seemed to work for me.

“I’ve had a few cursed Adelaide trips … so it’s nice to make this a positive one.”

Maxwell drew level with India’s Rohit Sharma for the most T20 international centuries with his fifth ton for Australia.

The Windies had no answer for the Aussie. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

MAXI THE MAESTRO

David Warner (22 runs) blasted a six and a four off the second and third balls he faced, but soon got bogged down with he and opening partner Josh Inglis (4) missing out after starring in the series opener.

The visitors would have been feeling pretty good about their situation with Australia 3-64 after Mitch Marsh departed in the seventh over following a quickfire 29 from 12 balls.

A frustrated Maxwell had four runs from his first five balls in a scratchy start and would have departed on 10 if Nicholas Pooran had hit the stumps with the jogging batter well short of his ground after being sent back by Marcus Stoinis.

But he quickly shrugged off his frustrations in a sublime display of power hitting that saw two sixes deposited into the second tier of the Max Basheer Stand.

At his inventive best, Maxwell reverse-slogged, flicked, deftly guided and outright bludgeoned balls to or over the boundary rope.

Bartlett called up for final Windies clash as injury strikes fellow quick

- Robert Craddock

In-form swingman Xavier Bartlett has been given another chance to show his wares for Australia.

Bartlett, who took 4-21 and 4-17 in his first two international matches against the West Indies in the recent 50 over tournament, has been chosen in the Australian squad for the third T20 match against the Windies.

He replaces Sean Abbott who suffered a shoulder injury in the opening game in Hobart.

Bartlett, 25, a former Australian under-19 bowler, is being watched closely by the national selectors.

Bartlett is keen to land an English county deal and it has been rumoured that he has already caught the eye of several English scouts.

Xavier Bartlett has been recalled to the Australian squad in place of the injured Sean Abbott. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

His style of bowling looks perfect for England and, form and fitness permitting, he is shaping as a likely candidate for Australia’s next Ashes tour in 2027 when, at age 28, he should be in the prime of his career.

“I would like to enhance my skills bowling with the Dukes ball in England and playing county cricket is something I definitely want to do,’’ Bartlett said.

Meanwhile, the West Indies Gabba hero Shamar Joseph has been signed by the Indian Premier League’s Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement for England’s Mark Wood.

With the T20 World Cup in June, England have pulled Wood out of the IPL to manage his workload.

Joseph has become the talk of world cricket after making his Test debut against Australia, dismissing Steve Smith with the first ball of his career then ransacking Australia at the Gabba.

Originally published as Australia v West Indies: Glenn Maxwell lights up Adelaide with blistering 120 not out