Australia Triumphs Over West Indies in First ODI with Xavier Bartlett's Stellar Debut
Bartlett's 4/17 and Captain Steve Smith's Unbeaten 79 Lead Australia to Victory
In the first match of the series, Australia defeated West Indies by eight wickets, led by fast bowler Xavier Bartlett's 4/17 in his ODI debut.
When Josh Inglis hit a blistering 65 off 43 balls for Australia the day before, he gave no indication that he had tested positive for Covid-19.
As asked to bat first, Bartlett's spectacular three-wicket opening burst put the visitors in difficulty at 59/4, and he went on to post Australia's second-best ODI statistics on debut. Eventually, the West Indies were bowled out for 231 in 48.4 overs.
Australia easily reached 232/2 in 38.3 overs thanks to excellent unbroken half-centuries from captain Steve Smith (79 not out) and Cameron Green (77 not out).
After winning player of the match, 25-year-old Bartlett said, "Amazing way to start my career." "That first wicket was unbelievable, hitting the stumps... glad to have a role here.
Key World Cup winners for Australia, like as captain Pat Cummins, who took a break before the New Zealand visit, were missed.
Australia chose with two debutants to share the new ball for the first time in this format since Andy Bichel and Anthony Stuart at the Gabba in 1997. Bartlett blasted through the top order on the lively MCG pitch after he shared it with fellow newbie, pacer Lance Morris.
This year's Big Bash League championship for Brisbane Heat was greatly aided by Bartlett.
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