Co-hosts West Indies establish dominance before the T20 World Cup with an impressive display, highlighted by Nicholas Pooran’s explosive hitting, blasting 8 sixes in a warm-up match against Australia.

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With the T20 World Cup 2024, jointly hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America, looming just around the corner, anticipation is reaching fever pitch. Yet, even before the opening game, the co-hosts West Indies have already set the stage ablaze. In a thrilling warm-up encounter against Australia at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, they showcased their firepower, posting a formidable total of 257/4.

Nicholas Pooran, taking charge at number three for the Windies, delivered a scintillating performance, hammering an impressive 75 runs off just 25 balls, punctuated by eight towering sixes and five boundaries. Despite a shaky start in the Indian Premier League, Pooran’s recent resurgence in form signals his readiness for the upcoming T20 extravaganza.

Rovman Powell, the Windies’ captain, also made a significant contribution, scoring a brisk 52 runs off 25 deliveries. Having been part of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, Powell showcased his batting prowess once again, despite his team’s elimination in the playoff stages.

At the beginning of the innings, Johnson Charles provided the West Indies with a solid foundation, partnering effectively with Pooran to build a commendable 90-run stand. However, their partnership was disrupted when Charles was dismissed by Adam Zampa.

Zampa emerged as the standout performer among the Australian bowlers, claiming two crucial wickets while conceding 62 runs. Ashton Agar and Tim David also chipped in with a wicket each to bolster the Australian bowling attack.

During their chase, Australia exhibited determination in pursuing the daunting target. However, their efforts were hindered by early setbacks in the powerplay. David Warner fell in the second over, courtesy of Shamar Joseph’s bowling, while skipper Mitchell Marsh was dismissed by Alzarri Joseph. Ashton Agar’s brisk innings of 28 runs off 13 balls was cut short by Obed McCoy, leaving Australia at 89/3 at the conclusion of the powerplay.

Josh Inglis and Tim David attempted to sustain Australia’s chase, showing resilience in the face of mounting pressure. However, their partnership was disrupted when Gudakesh Motie struck to dismiss Tim David, sending him back to the pavilion. Despite Inglis reaching a well-deserved fifty, he encountered difficulty in finding reliable support from his teammates, ultimately resulting in his departure as Motie claimed his second wicket of the match.

As the match appeared to be heading towards a conclusion, Nathan Ellis showcased remarkable resilience with a spirited innings, scoring 39 runs off 22 balls, injecting some momentum into Australia’s chase. Despite struggling initially, Adam Zampa contributed with a crucial boundary. However, their efforts fell short as the West Indies ultimately secured victory by a margin of 35 runs.