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Tim David has helped lift Australia to 7/178 after blasting a massive 20 off just four balls late in the clash against the West Indies at the Gabba.
After being sent in to bat David Warner came out swinging, but had little support early with Cam Green (1) and Aaron Finch (15) falling early.
When the Aussies lost 3/5 midway through the innings, the West Indies were in total control before David landed some lofty blows.
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He easily disposed of Obed McCoy to reach 42 off just 20 balls before falling LBW.
The Aussies ended up 7/178 as there was little late hitting to come once David departed.
The Aussies had changed their line up from game one, with Mitch Marsh (managed) going out of the side as he flies to Perth to avoid the tight turnaround for Sunday’s clash with England, where Australia’s first-choice bowlers won’t appear.
Steve Smith came back in while Finch moved up to bat at three.
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The West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first, and the move paid off as Cam Green went early for just one.
The young West Aussie had to go after facing just four balls, after skying it off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph.
Aaron Finch, promoted to number three after coming out at four in game one, survived a review on the second ball he faced.
Finch was hit on the pad by a swinging Kyle Mayers delivery but replays showed the ball going down leg.
He survived another shout moments later when the ball clipped his thigh guard.
Even trying to play a ramp, Finch got it off the toe of the bat but it landed safely as he moved to 2* off nine balls.
But down the other end, it was Warner punishing the West Indies attack as he put the Aussies back on the front foot.
He had the first six of the innings in the fourth over as he raced to 25* off just 13 balls.
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The West Indies’ tactics were questioned when both Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder were given just one over each before being taken out of the attack.
“It just relieves pressure (with the new bowler),” Fox Cricket’s Mark Waugh said.
“I reckon the one bowler Finch doesn’t want to face is Joseph.”
“Just giving the Aussies too many easy runs,” commentator Brad Haddin added.
Despite Finch struggling with his timing down one end, Warner had no such trouble down the other.
He quickly cleared the half-century off 30 balls and then smacked 25 runs off his next 10 deliveries.
Warner and Finch combined to take 17 off Yannic Cariah’s first over.
At the halfway mark, Australia were 1/88.
But the match quickly soured for the home side in a matter of minutes.
Finch fell for 15 off 18 when he holed out to mid-off, with Haddin believing the veteran was trying to “hit it too hard” down the ground.
“His leg was open, he was going away from the ball and trying to muscle it,” Haddin said.
“The bat turned in his hand.”
The Aussies then committed cricket’s “cardinal sin” four balls later when David Warner fell for a well made 75 off just 41 balls.
Odean Smith managed to avoid crashing into the stumps as he got under a skied pool shot for the caught and bowled.
Warner’s wicket left Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell both fresh at the crease in the 12th over, at a time when the home side needed to put the foot down.
“This is where you can win the game,” Haddin warned.
“All of a sudden, Australia don’t have the platform to launch in the final overs.”
And Maxwell lasted just four balls after a mix up with Steve Smith, as Australia lost 3/5.
The all-rounder was caught just short of his crease after confusing Smith’s follow through for a run call.
“I don’t think there was a run there,” Waugh said.
“It’s one of those shots you hit it and go with the shot.
“(Smith’s) going there, that’s what Maxwell thought anyway.”
Rookie Tim David didn’t waste any time as he backed up his game one duck with a massive 42 off just 20 balls.
David’s entertaining innings included four fours and three sixes, including taking 20 off just four Obed McCoy deliveries before he was hit flush by a full toss.
He was given his marching orders on review, much to the crowd’s disappointment.
“That sort of inning there can turn a World Cup semi final or final,” Haddin said.
“The air just went out of the crowd too when that was given out.”
“Book him in wherever you want – six or five,” Waugh added.
With David back in the dugout, the Aussies struggled to capitalise on the extra man in-field – as punishment for the West Indies’ slow over rate.
Steve Smith was bowled on the first ball of the final over, and Matt Wade turned down a single on the second last ball of the innings to retain the strike from Pat Cummins.
And it didn’t pay off as he was dismissed on the final ball – with the Aussies finishing 7/178.
Mitchell Starc got the Aussies off to the best possible start in the field when he pulled in one of the all-time great catches.
Starc was still in his follow through when he stayed low and snared danger man Kyle Mayers with an almost one-handed catch coming back at more than 105km/h.
“It’s great reflexes by Mitchell Starc,” Haddin praised.
“He’s got a great set of hands Starcy.
“That’s very hard to do -6-foot 5 on your follow through. Outstanding piece of athleticism there!”
“That’s a classic catch if I’ve ever seen one,” Waugh added.
It was the ultimate revenge for Starc after Mayers blasted him for six earlier in the over.
Adam Zampa was apologising to Pat Cummins when he put down Johnson Charles on 3.
Teams
Australia XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Cameron Green, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
West Indies XI: Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (c, wk), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Yannic Cariah, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy
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