Twitter Reactions: Mitchell Starc’s fifer helps Australia maul West Indies in opener

After the 1-4 defeat in the T20Is, Australia got off to a stupendous start in the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The team, led by Alex Carey, won by 133 runs- DL Method- at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Moreover, they also took an all-important 1-0 lead in the series.

Carey, Walsh Jr shine

After electing to bat first, Australia started steadily courtesy of a 51-run stand for the opening wicket between Josh Philippe and Ben McDermott. However, both of them got out after getting starts. Mitchell Marsh scored 20, and couldn’t carry on either. Moises Henriques tasted failure as well.

Thereafter, a 104-run stand between Carey and Ashton Turner brought Australia back into the contest. Carey went on to score an 87-ball 67 before Hayden Walsh Jr got rid of him. The latter also dismissed Turner for 49 and took a five-wicket haul. The Aussies ended with 252 in 49 overs.

Pollard shows his class

Chasing the revised target of 257, West Indies got off to the worst possible start as Mitchell Starc nipped out Evin Lewis for a golden duck. From there on, the Caribbean batting crumbled like a house of cards. In only 7.4 overs, the hosts were reduced to 27 for six as the Aussie bowlers dictated terms.

Kieron Pollard gave the home team something to cheer for as he scored 56 off 57 with the help of five fours and three sixes. He was involved in a 68-run stand with Alzarri Joseph. In the end, West Indies were shot out for 123 in 26.2 overs. Starc got the Player of the Match award for his fifer.

Pollard, the West Indies skipper, showed disappointment after his team was unable to show any fight while chasing. Carey, on the other hand, was over the moon. He was overjoyed on tasting victory in his maiden appearance as the Australian national captain.

Alex Carey overjoyed

“I think we did pretty well with the ball. Par score here is 260-270 and being able to restrict them to 250 was a fantastic effort. It is what it is. My biggest thing is I want the guys to fight. We have practiced long and hard enough. The most disappointing factor is we didn’t show fight,” Pollard said.

“Yeah, it was (special). Not only for me but the three other guys on debut. Obviously, the two quicks up front were pretty special as well. I wouldn’t say I made it look easy (the pitch), maybe Ashton did. For us to adapt and put on the score on the board which we thought was competitive, and then the way the powerplay went for us was fantastic,” Babar said.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Australia’s win: