T20 World Cup 2021: David Warner puts Australia in box seat to advance to semi-finals as Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo farewelled

Australia is through to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after a convincing win led by David Warner.

David Warner speaks with West Indies' Chris Gayle, right, as West Indies' Dwayne Bravo watches at the end of the Twenty20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and West Indies. Picture: Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

Australia has put itself in a promising position advancing to the T20 World Cup semi-finals after a comfortable eight-wicket win over the West Indies in its final Super 12s game in Abu Dhabi, as the West Indies bid farewell to two T20 legends.

Australia cruised to the target of 158 with 23 balls to spare as a commanding innings from David Warner (89 not out from 55 balls) and a stellar bowling display from Josh Hazlewood (4/39) steered Justin Langer’s side to victory.

South Africa needed to comprehensively overcome an undefeated England to jump ahead of Australia on the Group 1 table to steal a semi-final spot, though while successful by 10 runs it was not enough to overtake the Aussies.

The West Indies were unable to see off superstars Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle – who raised his bat to the crowd in a symbolic gesture, indicating it was his final innings in international cricket – in style, with the loss compounding a disappointing campaign for the two-time T20 champions.

Australia is now poised to face Pakistan in the semi-finals, in the event New Zealand and Pakistan defeat Afghanistan and Scotland respectively in their final group matches, as expected.

David Warner acknowledges his half-century. Picture: AFP

Warner confirmed he is back to his blistering best at the top of the order after a far more assured knock than his 65 against Sri Lanka last week.

From delicate late cuts to powerful leg-side slogs, Warner scored his runs all over the ground and at a rapid rate, reaching his half-century from 29 deliveries.

Entering the tournament under immense pressure after being ousted from Indian Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, Warner has made a statement with two half-centuries in important run-chases.

He combined with Marsh for a 125-run partnership for the second wicket.

Marsh, who was the leading run-scorer for Australia in its losing T20I series against the West Indies earlier this year, shone brightly with both the bat (53 from 32) and the ball (0/16 from three overs) – his first overs of the tournament.

His all-round exploits showcased just how valuable he is to the Aussie side, especially after his shock axing for Australia’s loss to England.

While Bravo announced his international retirement pre-match on Saturday, question marks surrounded the future of Gayle in West Indies colours.

Cricket fans seemingly got their answer when a shades-adorning Gayle raised his bat to the crowd in Abu Dhabi after being dismissed for 15, all but bringing his international career to a close with an astonishing 19,578 runs across three formats.

Gayle revolutionised short-form cricket with his powerful and prolific boundary hitting, and while he had been far from his best during this tournament, the Jamaican went out swinging.

His final scoring shot in internationals epitomised what set him apart from the rest, monstering a short ball down the ground for a maximum with brute force.

Bravo, an incredible West Indian cricketer and T20 player in his own right, scored 10 runs and finished with 0/36 with the ball.

Gayle came on to bowl late in the innings wearing a cap and claimed the wicket of Marsh, running over and hugging the Australian batsman as he left the field in a humorous moment from the entertainer.

The ‘Universe Boss’ and ‘DJ Bravo’ were integral to both of the West Indies’ T20 World Cup wins in 2012 and 2016, with the pair the clear leaders for most runs and wickets respectively in T20s.

Gayle polarised opinion off the field – most notably his controversial response to presenter Mel McLaughlin in a Big Bash League match while playing with the Melbourne Renegades in 2016 – but he will go down as a West Indian cricket legend, and one of the best of all time for his nation.

Chris Gayle made a symbolic gesture to those at the ground after being dismissed, suggesting it was his final game for the West Indies. Picture: AFP

Dwayne Bravo raised his bat as he walked back to the pavilion Picture: AFP

Hazlewood was dispatched for 19 runs in an expensive opening over as openers Evin Lewis and Gayle targeted the paceman.

But Australian captain Aaron Finch held firm with the metronomic bowler, keeping him in the attack after Pat Cummins secured the breakthrough of Gayle in the third over.

The decision paid off instantly as he dismissed big-hitter Nicholas Pooran and Roston Chase in the space of three deliveries, skittling Chase in trademark Hazlewood fashion with a gem that moved off the seam to hit the top of off stump.

Helping turn the tide, Hazlewood finished with the second-best figures of his T20 career (4/39) after also claiming the scalps of Shimron Hetmyer and Bravo.

Having struggled to get going in the tournament, all-rounder Andre Russell saved his best until last.

His first six of the tournament sent fans ducking for cover on the hill, pulling Mitch Starc for a colossal 111 metre maximum that went into orbit on the penultimate delivery of the innings.

Russell followed it up with another devastating boundary-clearing blow on the final ball, putting Australia on the back foot.

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