West Indies powers to a winning finish in their last T20I of the series against Australia

Andre Russell (71 off 29) and Sherfane Rutherford (67 not out off 40) combined for the best sixth-wicket stand in T20 international ever, after debutant Xavier Bartlett (2-37) helped reduce the visitors to 5-79 in the ninth over.

The combination scored 84 runs in the last five overs of the innings, with Russell hitting 28 off the last over to sink Adam Zampa to the most costly T20 statistics by an Australian (1-65 from four overs).

Chase, one of the two changes made by the West Indies for the last game, interrupted Australia’s pursuit by dismissing Warner and Josh Inglis in one over, leaving them with 2-19.

The West Indies scored a huge 220-6 because to explosive blows from Andre Russell (71 off 29 balls) and Sherfane Rutherford (67 no off 40 balls).

In response, Warner withstood a nasty blow to the chin to score 81 off 49 balls, giving Australia a chance of winning. However, the loss of three wickets for three runs, with Aaron Hardie, Warner, and Josh Inglis all departing in the space of ten balls, ended Australia’s aspirations, with the home team finishing on 183-5.

Warner was likely participating in his final home international match since he intends to end his cricket career following the T20 World Cup in June. And he scored his half century off of 25 balls, giving Australia a rousing start.

Australia’s chase was interrupted with the deployment of spinners Akeal Hosein and Chase. Warner hit Chase straight to Russell at deep midwicket, and Captain Mitchell Marsh, after scoring sixteen, holed out to Hosein.

Tim David quickly produced an unbeaten 41 off 19 balls to narrow the margin of defeat after Glenn Maxwell, who had hit a fast unbeaten century in the second Twenty20, was clean bowled by Romario Shepherd with an outstanding leg stump yorker for 12.

The defeat prevented Australia from sweeping the three-match series, with the hosts prevailing 2-1 ahead of their trip to New Zealand.

The outcome provided the visitors a consoling victory to round off the tour after Australia had already won the series with victories in the previous two matches. Russell and Rutherford put on an explosive effort to lead the West Indies to an impressive total of 220 – the highest score by a visiting team in Australia in this format. The hosts attempted to make a game of the huge chase with David Warner (81 off 49), but they lost too many wickets in the middle overs and finally fell woefully short.

Scores: West Indies 220/6 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 71, Sherfane Rutherford 67*; Xavier Bartlett 2-37) beat Australia 183/5 in 20 overs (David Warner 81, Tim David 41*; Roston Chase 2-19) by 37 runs.

David Warner, Player of the series: “It was good to have a break and play the franchise stuff. I’ve got a lot of time off after the New Zealand series, go to the IPL before we embark on a World Cup in the Caribbean. Was quite surprised an opening bowler 145kph and swings it not trying to get me out. Go the Caribbean, the boundaries aren’t too big there. I’m well and truly done, it’s time for the youngsters to come through and show their talent.”

Rovman Powell: “It’s a very good feeling to come here and get a win. The Australia team is such a strong team and understands their conditions. The boys showed some heart and courage. We had good plans through the three games but execution let us down. We sat down as a bowling group but 240 runs is too many. It’s always good for players to have confidence and we told him to relax, you are an integral part of the team. As captain going into the World Cup it’s a lot of thought and things I need to think about it.”

Mitchell Marsh: “Thought we were in a great position, went for the kill to try and get a few more wickets. We were on the wrong end of it, fair play to West Indies. We saw that throughout the series, they bat down to No. 10. They are a great unit but thought we played some really good cricket in the first two games. Been nice to see our young guys come in and do well. We’ll go to New Zealand next week with a pretty full strength team.”