Hazlewood too sizzles in commanding 8-wkt win over West Indies
Before the start of the ongoing T20 World Cup, a lot was being said about David Warner's form. There was valid reason behind the criticism too. Warner had a torrid time in the 2021 IPL, especially in the UAE leg. And although he scored a 65 against Sri Lanka earlier in the World Cup, the rhythm was missing in his batting.
There were no such pangs against West Indies at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. It was a masterclass from Warner as the diminutive Aussie sent a warning to other teams before the semifinals. Warner (89 not out off 56b; 9x4, 4x6) was in sublime form, cutting, pulling and driving the ball with elan. There were the occasional sweeps and reverse sweeps in his innings too. Out of his 89, 60 runs came in fours and sixes.
Warner tore into the West Indies attack, taking special liking for his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate Jason Holder. It was against Holder that Warner got himself going, smashing two fours and a six off the tall West Indian's first over.
Warner found able company in Mitchell Marsh (53 off 32b; 5x4, 2x6), who matched his more pedigreed teammate stroke for stroke. Warner and Marsh added 124 for the second wicket after Aaron Finch was dismissed early.
Finch tried to cut an arm ball from left-arm spinner Akeal Hossein, which was flat outside off and coming in. The Aussie skipper managed to get an under-edge that crashed into the stumps. Thereafter, it was a Warner and Marsh show. Marsh got out only towards the end when his firmly struck drive off Chris Gayle's bowling went straight to the mid-off fielder. Warner and Glenn Maxwell completed the formalities for a resounding 8-wicket victory.
Earlier, West Indies were majestic and uninspiring in the same vein during their innings, posting 157/7 on the board. Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis started on a breakneck speed, racing to 30 in 2.1 overs, before Gayle got an inside edge onto the stumps off Pat Cummins' bowling.
West Indies had got off to a flying start, but Hazlewood's second over set them back. Hazlewood first got the better of Nicholas Pooran, who picked out the cover fielder to a back of a length delivery that was outside the off-stump. One ball later, Roston Chase was shown the door with a sharp in-ducker that crashed into the stumps through the gap between bat and pad.
Lewis (29 off 26b; 5x4) and Shimron Hetmyer (27 off 28b; 2x4) were subsequently forced to consolidate. Lewis, in his attempt to up the ante, swiped one across the line off Adam Zampa but it was a googly and the leading edge went high up in the air. Steve Smith moved in from the boundary and dived forward to complete a sensational catch.
Lewis' dismissal brought Kieron Pollard (44 off 31; 4x4, 1x6) to the crease and the West Indian skipper got the run-rate going. In the end overs, Pollard got Andre Russell (18 not out off 7b; 1x4, 2x6) for company and the duo plundered 58 runs off the last five overs to give the Windies total some respectability.
