By Ethan James
Australia have beaten the West Indies by 11 runs in Hobart in their first T20 international match.
David Warner laid the groundwork for the Australian victory, smashing 70 from 36 balls in his 100th T20 international as Australia posted an imposing 7-213.
In reply, the visitors could only manage 8-202, their middle order unable to capitalise on a flying start from openers Brandon King (53 runs off 37 balls) and Johnson Charles (42 off 25).
Warner, coming off a stint in the 20-over league in the United Arab Emirates, also got Australia off to a flying start with a 93-run opening partnership with Josh Inglis.
Opening together for the first time in T20 internationals, the pair had Australia 0-77 after the six-over powerplay before Tim David went to town late with an unbeaten 37 from 17 balls.
Warner finished with 12 fours and one six, but had some luck on 48 when wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran grassed a tough opportunity diving one-handed.
Josh Inglis played a key supporting role for David Warner, hitting 39 or 25 balls.Credit: Getty
Inglis also had a life when Brandon King spilled a half-chance in the outfield, but departed soon after in the eighth over for 39 from 25 balls.
Warner, who set the tone with four boundaries off Jason Holder in the second over, fell in the 13th when he gloved an Alzarri Joseph delivery to Pooran.
Australia were 5-159 in the 16th over after losing 4-30 before David combined with Matthew Wade for a partnership of 50 off 23 balls.
Andre Russell (3-42 from four overs) picked up Wade (21 from 14 balls) and Sean Abbott for a first-ball duck in the final over.
West Indies, who won the toss and elected to bowl at Blundstone Arena, are coming off a horror ODI loss to Australia in which they were dismissed for 86.
Australia’s three T20s against the West Indies are followed by a three-game away series against New Zealand ahead of the World Cup in June.
The tourists have welcomed back big guns Russell, Holder, Pooran and Akeal Hosein after the quartet missed the recent ODI matches.
AAP
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