Australia vs West Indies T20: David Warner stars as Aussies claim victory in Hobart

David Warner has once again silenced critics just weeks after his retirement from Test cricket, joining an elite club as he proved to be the difference for Australia in an 11-run win over the West Indies.

Anyone that believed David Warner’s spot in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad was under threat has been sent a firm reminder of his capabilities following a matchwinning display on Friday night at Bellerive Oval.

One of Australia’s most prolific white-ball run scorers was back to his best in the 11-run win over the West Indies in Hobart, with the 37-year-old once again silencing his critics’ just weeks after his retirement from international test cricket.

After battling away to an average of just 14 runs and a top score of 42 in the UAE T20 League post-BBL, Warner’s knock (70 off 36) and 93-run opening partnership with Josh Inglis (39 off 25) proved to be the difference after a less than convincing performance from the Australian middle order.

David Warner stared for Australia with an impressive 70 runs off 36 balls. Picture: Getty Images

Covid-hit skipper Mitch Marsh (16 off 13) and Marcus Stoinis (9 off 6) both failed to cash in on a strong start while the returning Glenn Maxwell (10 off 8) also couldn’t get rolling in his first game back after being hospitalised in Adelaide late last month.

A late-innings cameo performance from Tim David (37 off 17) and hometown boy Matthew Wade (21 off 14) ensured the West Indies would need 214 runs to win, but they could only manage 202 from the allocated overs.

Despite a promising 89-run opening partnership between Brandon King and Johnson Charles, a similar middle-order collapse for the West Indies snuffed out any chance of a victory for the visitors.

Despite a promising start from Brandon King and Johnson Charles (pictured) a middle-order collapse for the West Indies snuffed out any chance of a victory. Picture: Getty Images

With five overs to go it was still a live contest, but the wicket of star hitter Andre Russell (1 off 2) by Adam Zampa (3-26), and the brilliant fielding of Sean Abbott (four catches) in the outfield, ensured Australia’s undefeated record in T20 matches at Blundstone Arena remained intact.

The win gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the three match series with games to follow on Sunday at Adelaide Oval and Tuesday in Perth at Optus Stadium.

Warner also became the first Australian (and the third person ever) to play 100 international games in all three formats. Picture: Getty Images

WARNER MAKES HISTORY…

It was already a big night for Warner before facing a ball in Hobart, with the boy from Paddington becoming just the third player in history – and Australia’s first – to play 100 international games in all three formats.

Already sitting on 112 test and 161 ODI appearances, Warner’s 100th T20 game saw him join an illustrious three-man club that includes Ross Taylor (New Zealand) and Virat Kohli (India).

…AND AUSSIE’S EQUAL IT

While it was Warner that started the night in the record books, it only took 20 overs for Australia to join him there. Largely thanks to the knocks of Warner, Inglis and David, the Australian side of February 9 2023 was able to equal the highest ever T20I score at Bellerive Oval – 213.

Set by the Aussies back in 2014, it was opening duo Cameron White (75 off 43) and Aaron Finch (52 off 31) that led the 13-run win over England on January 29 over a decade ago.