King, Mooney shine as Australia overcome butterfingers to down West Indies

Alana King made a statement return to Australia’s T20I setup, combining with a clinical Beth Mooney to secure a 43-run victory over West Indies at Arnos Vale.

However, the world champions’ professional gloss was dulled by an uncharacteristic “horror show” in the field, as five chances went begging under the Caribbean lights.

On a surface where timing proved elusive for many, Beth Mooney was the exception. Her 79 off 55 balls provided the spine of the Australian innings after a stagnant Powerplay that yielded just 34 runs.

Alongside Ellyse Perry, Mooney added 99 for the third wicket, shifting gears in the 12th over when she lofted Hayley Matthews over cover to break a 21-ball boundary drought.

While Australia looked set for a total north of 180, West Indies seamers Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry used the breeze effectively at the death.

Utilising a wide-line strategy that forced Australia to hit into the wind, they restricted the visitors to just 23 runs off the final three overs, removing both set batters and Ashleigh Gardner in quick succession.

A comedy of errors

Despite the scoreboard pressure, Australia’s fielding was inexplicably ragged. The drops ranged from the difficult—a return chance to King—to the regulation, including a Tahlia McGrath spill at mid-off and a “sitter” by Perry at long-on.

Captain Sophie Molineux, returning from a back injury but opting not to bowl, noted the lapse post-match: “We’ll look to tidy that up.” Fortunately for the visitors, the West Indies’ inability to rotate the strike meant the required rate climbed regardless of the extra lives granted.

King’s masterclass

Excluded from the recent India series, Alana King bowled like a player with a point to prove. She claimed the crucial wicket of a frustrated Hayley Matthews early on, before dismantling the middle order.

“King had the ball on a string, claiming 3 for 14 to effectively decide the contest as the home side lost 3 for 0 in the space of 10 balls.”

Following a brief rain interval, King trapped Shemaine Campbelle and Deandra Dottin in quick succession, ending any hopes of a West Indian miracle.

Qiana Joseph provided the lone resistance with a spirited 45, but the familiar Achilles’ heel of dot-ball pressure eventually told on the hosts. (Modified from ESPNcricinfo) 

Series Glance

1st T20I: Australia won by 43 runs

2nd T20I: Saturday, March 21 (Arnos Vale)

3rd T20I: Monday, March 23 (Arnos Vale)