Australia has cruised towards a 3-0 whitewash over the West Indies following Tuesday’s crushing eight-wicket victory at Manuka Oval.
After the tourists were bowled out for 86 in less than 25 overs, Australia only needed 41 deliveries to chase down the measly target, with young opener Jake Fraser-McGurk blasting 41 from 18 balls.
Meanwhile, Queensland seamer Xavier Bartlett continued his impressive form with the white ball, taking four wickets during another player of the match performance.
Australia’s attention shifts towards the T20 series against the West Indies, which gets underway in Hobart on Friday evening.
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AUS V WI: 3rd ODI Match Highlights | 13:30
TRAVIS HEAD — 2
Four runs at 4.00
HS 4, SR 80.00
It was a forgettable campaign for Head, who only played the series opener in Melbourne before being released from the squad.
After dropping a regulation catch in the outfield, the South Australian nicked behind in the opening over of the run chase, trudging off for 4.
JOSH INGLIS – 9
109 runs at 54.50
HS 65, SR 155.71
Inglis has well and truly pressed his case to become Australia’s new ODI opener, turning heads with explosive knocks against the West Indies in Melbourne and Canberra.
After racing towards a half-century in just 28 deliveries during Friday’s series opener, he steered Australia towards its fastest run chase in men’s ODIs four days later in the national capital.
His glovework for the most part was solid, apart from a clumsy missed run out at the MCG and a tough dropped chance in Sydney.
Comical Inglis miss baffles everyone! | 00:51
JAKE FRASER-MCGURK – 8
51 runs at 25.5
HS 41, SR 221.73
It didn’t take long for Fraser-McGurk to acclimatise to international cricket.
Australian fans got a glimpse of the 21-year-old’s destructive potential this week, with the Victorian only needing five deliveries to announce himself to the cricket world on Sunday.
His extraordinary knock in Canberra, which featured three towering sixes, helped Australia clinch its fastest run chase in men’s ODIs in Canberra and cemented his status as a future superstar of the sport.
Openers collapse in shock start at SCG | 01:06
CAMERON GREEN – 7
110 runs at 110.00
HS 77*, SR 75.86
Elevated to No. 3 for the first time in his ODI career, Green started the West Indies series with an unbeaten half-century at the MCG, also contributing two wickets in a stellar all-round effort.
The West Australian couldn’t back it up with a substantial score in Sydney, but he still made the highlights reel with a low one-handed catch at mid-wicket.
However, his opening spell in Canberra was less than ideal, with his first two deliveries almost landing off the pitch.
STEVE SMITH – 7
90 runs at 90.00
HS 79*, SR 97.82
It was a relatively quiet campaign for Australia’s stand-in skipper.
Smith looked in fine touch during the series opener in Melbourne, cracking a superb half-century while combining with Cameron Green for an unbeaten 150-run partnership.
However, the New South Welshman chopped on for 5 during Sunday’s contest at the SCG, then only faced three deliveries in Canberra.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE – 3
26 runs at 26.00
HS 26, SR 78.78
Labuschagne only got one opportunity to bat against the West Indies this week, notching a patient 26 before lazily chipping a catch towards cover.
The Queenslander’s fielding was uncharacteristically poor throughout the series, missing a regulation run out in Melbourne before leaking runs with sloppy ground fielding in Sydney. However, he redeemed himself with a stunning catch at point in Canberra, giving Lance Morris his maiden ODI wicket.
MATT SHORT — 6
41 runs at 41.00
HS 41, SR 74.54
Short has found success with Victoria and the Adelaide Strikers as an opener, but Australian selectors were eager to see what he could produce in the middle order.
Unfortunately, he only got one opportunity against the West Indies this week, compiling a patient 41 during the Sydney ODI before sustaining a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the series finale.
‘He SMASHED it’ – Ottley’s baffling call | 01:05
AARON HARDIE – 4
28 runs at 14.00
HS 26, SR 68.29
Hardie just couldn’t get things going with the bat this week.
After slow starts in Sydney and Canberra, he fell cheaply in both innings, failing to press his case for regular appearances in Australia’s white-ball teams.
However, the West Australian was impressive with the new ball at the SCG on Sunday, taking the early wicket of West Indies opener Alick Athanaze during the Powerplay.
WILL SUTHERLAND – 6
Two wickets at 16.50
BB 2-28, ER 3.88
Sutherland was hardly required during the dead rubber in Canberra, but the Victorian showed a glimpse of his all-round potential in Sydney on Sunday.
After combining with Sean Abbott for a 57-run partnership, Sutherland helped clean up the West Indies tail with two wickets as Australia cruised to a crushing victory.
SEAN ABBOTT – 9
Six wickets at 16.00
BB 3-40, ER 4.05
Having carried drinks for most of Australia’s World Cup campaign, Abbott proved his worth with a brilliant all-round performance in Sydney on Sunday.
The New South Welshman top-scored for the hosts with a career-best 69 before snaring three wickets and taking two catches.
He also contributed with the ball in Melbourne and Canberra, leading Australia’s bowling attack in the absence of the big three.
XAVIER BARTLETT – 10
Eight wickets at 4.75
BB 4-17, ER 2.35
The X-man didn’t put a foot wrong against the West Indies this week.
During the series opener in Melbourne, Bartlett claimed the second-best bowling figures by an Australian debutant in men’s ODIs, backing it up with another four-wicket haul in Canberra.
He’s quickly developing into one of the most skilful swing bowlers in the country.
Bartlett rips through Windies on debut! | 01:03
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 8
Three wickets at 14.33
BB 3-43, ER 5.37
The Bendemeer Bullet made a surprise appearance for the second ODI Sydney, and he didn’t disappoint.
Persisting with his trademark line and length, Hazlewood claimed three wickets during the West Indies’ unsuccessful run chase on Sunday evening, dismissing rival captain Shai Hope with an absolute peach that crashed into the pegs.
ADAM ZAMPA – 7
Four wickets at 25.25
BB 2-14, ER 4.12
Zampa was far from his best against the West Indies, but he still contributed with the ball in all three matches.
Although the series was dominated by Australia’s quicks, the leg-spinner played his role to perfection, holding up an end through the middle overs while creating occasional breakthroughs.
LANCE MORRIS – 5
Two wickets at 36.00
BB 2-13, ER 4.96
Morris struggled during his ODI debut at the MCG, regularly straying down the leg side and getting his lengths wrong.
However, the West Australian bounced back in Canberra, snaring two wickets during an impressive spell from the Cathedral End. He’s at risk of missing the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand after sustaining a side strain in the Australian capital.
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