It was another comprehensive performance with both bat and ball as the West Indies took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match series, with a six wicket win. Can the Aussies begin to salvage some pride and momentum heading into the World Cup? Or will the West Indies continue to dominate? We’ve got you covered with our preview and tips for the 4th T20!
West Indies vs Australia 4th T20 Preview & Betting Tips
Darren Sammy Stadium, Thursday July 15th, 9:30am AEST
Match Prediction
A man of the match performance from Chris Gayle led the way as the Windies chased down a subpar 142 inside of 15 overs. Gayle blasted 67 from 38 deliveries as the Australian bowling attack was taken apart once again. Riley Meredith (3/48), Adam Zampa (0/34) and Josh Hazlewood (0/33) all went at over 11 runs per over, as Australia failed to contain the West Indies power batsmen again.
West Indies spinner Hayden Walsh continued his superb series with 2/18, with Australia’s batsmen struggling for the third game in a row. Australia are yet to score above 141 this series, and Mitch Marsh is the only player with a score above 34 runs. Marsh is the leading run scorer in the series with 114 at an average of 38, but the next four best run scorers are all West Indies batsmen.
Australia have now lost four consecutive matches, and six of their last T20I’s as they have struggled to adjust their side with the shifting of the T20 World Cup from Australia to the Middle East. Aaron Finch has scored just 40 runs at an average of 13, with a strike rate of just 90. Australia’s T20I series against New Zealand showed how crucial Finch is to Australia’s T20 side. In Australia’s two wins in that series Finch scored 69 off 44 and 79* off 55, in Australia’s three losses in that series he scored a combined 49 off 47 balls.
The West Indies have shared the load with the bat this series, which has been a positive surprise for a side that has struggled to get contributions across the entire side for numerous years. The West Indies have five players with over sixty runs this series, Chris Gayle (84), Andre Russell (82), Shimron Hetmyer (81), Lendel Simmons (72) and Dwayne Bravo (61).
Despite batting their overs for the first time this series, Australia struggled to close out their innings with the bat, scoring just 42 runs from the last five overs, despite being only four wickets down after the fifteenth over. Between 2016 and the start of this series, Australia have tried 25 different players at number 5, 6 and 7 in T20I’s with an average strike rate of 118, which doesn’t cut it against sides with the power the West Indies possess. The West Indies have averaged 63 runs in the last five overs of each innings this series.
The Australians look out of sorts, and despite the lack of cricket they’ve played in the last four months, it’s still surprising to see how poorly they have performed this series. A bowling attack which has been at the forefront of Australia’s T20 form between 2019-2020 which saw them become the number one side in the format, has been taken apart and look to have little answers. The Windies batsmen have been the separating factor in this series, and it’s hard to see the Aussies stopping them anytime soon.
West Indies Prop
The emergence of Hayden Walsh has been the biggest success story for the West Indies. The 29 year old tested positive for covid in early 2021 and had not played for the Windies since November last year. Walsh has returned with a point to prove after being overlooked for the series against South Africa, taking a series high 8 wickets at an average of 8.75, with a remarkable economy rate of 5.85. Walsh has been able to take wickets through economical pressure as well as producing genuine wicket balls, which has made him such a threat this series. Walsh has been the West Indies highest wicket taker in two of the three games so far this series, and is well set to do it for a third time in four games.
Walsh WI Top Wicket Taker
$4.33
Australia Prop
Matthew Wade has been given a clear role to be as aggressive as possible at the top of the order, regardless of the situation of the game. Wade has shown in the Big Bash he can take away the game from opposing sides within a few overs. Wade has had the highest strike rate of any Aussie batsmen this series at 175. With knocks of 33 off 14, 0 off 2 and 23 off 16, Wade will be hit and miss, however with the troubles that the rest of the Australian batsmen struggling, Wade’s aggression will give himself a good opportunity to top score. Getting to bat during the powerplay is a huge advantage to Wade’s style with only two men out of the ring. Wade has teased so far this series, and a big knock is just around the corner.
Wade Top AUS Runscorer
$4.20
