Despite a valiant half-century from Shimron Hetmyer, the West Indies suffered a narrow 3-wicket defeat to Australia in the fifth and final T20 International at Warner Park, St. Kitts on Monday night, sealing a 5-0 T20I whitewash and an overall 8-0 series sweep across formats.
Inserted to bat, the Windies stumbled early, slumping to 32 for 3 in just 4.4 overs. However, Hetmyer led a spirited recovery, blasting 52 off 32 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes, before falling with the score at 155 for 7 in the 17th over. He was supported by Sherfane Rutherford (35), Jason Holder (20), and Matthew Forde (15) as the West Indies reached 170 all out.
Australia’s bowlers applied steady pressure, with Ben Dwarshuis (3 for 41) and Nathan Ellis (2 for 32) doing the bulk of the damage.
In response, the Aussies chased down the 171-run target with 18 balls to spare, finishing on 173 for 7. Mitchell Owen top-scored with 37, while Cameron Green (32), Tim David (30), and Aaron Hardie (28 not out) all made vital contributions.
The Windies bowling effort was led by Akeal Hosein, who took an impressive 3 for 17, with support from Jason Holder (2 for 36) and Alzarri Joseph (2 for 21).
Speaking after the match, West Indies captain Shai Hope expressed disappointment at the team’s inconsistency throughout the series:
“I just didn’t think we put together a proper batting display. We either started well and finished poorly or the other way around. So when you’re playing against quality opposition like Australia, you’ve got to put things together — a more complete game. As a batting group, we didn’t really give ourselves the best chance to put a big score on the board consistently. That’s probably where we fell short.”
Final Scores:
West Indies – 170 all out (Hetmyer 52, Rutherford 35; Dwarshuis 3-41, Ellis 2-32)
Australia – 173 for 7 in 17 overs (Owen 37, Green 32; Hosein 3-17, Holder 2-36, Joseph 2-21)
Meanwhile, Jason Holder’s two wickets have brought him closer to a major milestone. The Barbadian pacer now has 76 T20I wickets from 72 matches, just three short of surpassing Dwayne Bravo, who currently holds the West Indies record with 78 wickets from 91 matches.
Bravo, who retired from international cricket in September 2024, may soon see his long-standing T20I record eclipsed as Holder edges closer with every game.
