'Absolute crap': Cricket world stunned by 'pathetic' Aussie collapse
Australia has crashed to an embarrassing loss in the first T20 against the West Indies, losing their last six wickets for just 19 runs in St Lucia.
Chasing 146 for victory, the Aussies seemed to be cruising at 4-108 before disaster struck.
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An unthinkable collapse of 7-38 saw the West Indies claim the series opener in an 18-run victory after Australia were bowled out for 127.
Josh Hazlewood starred with the ball in St Lucia, removing Evin Lewis for a second-ball duck and Chris Gayle for four in an incredible opening spell of 2-3 that helped restrict the hosts to 6-145.
Mitch Marsh scored 51, producing his highest T20 score for Australia after being promoted to first drop, as the visitors marched to 3-89 in the eighth over.
But the wheels came off in woeful fashion as Australia being bowled out for in 16 overs.
Marsh, well set and in the box seat to win the match, will be kicking himself after chipping a catch back to spinner Hayden Walsh in the 13th over.
Veteran all-rounder Dan Christian, recalled at age 38 for his first international match in almost four years, scored 10 before picking out Dwayne Bravo in the deep.
Paceman Obed McCoy was named man of the match after removing Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood to wrap up victory.
The lack of composure was telling, with Marsh, Christian, Moises Henriques (16) and Matthew Wade (33) the only Australian batsmen to reach double figures.
Wow alright. Aust 1/46 of 3.6 overs chasing 145 against a very modest bowling attack.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) July 10, 2021
Hilarious….JL needs to remind batsmen that they are allowed to take singles….absolute crap batting
— jim maxwell (@jimmaxcricket) July 10, 2021
The most concerning bit about the loss, is how we lost our wickets. Throwing them away with such silly shots, we needed 4 an over. Very poor batting performance.
— Michael Stamos (@SuperStam69) July 10, 2021
Absolutely shambolic batting performance.
— Wasiyullah Budye (@iWasiyullah) July 10, 2021
The lack of batting IQ in this lineup is startling. Pathetic collapse and performance when all is said and done #WIvAUS
— Lewis Vihtelic (@SportsThirsty) July 10, 2021
Pathetic batting display from Australia#WIvAUS
— Shrey (@shrey_sports1) July 10, 2021
Andre Russell cameo helps Windies reach respectable total
The target could have been far more modest if not for five sixes from Andre Russell (51), who was dropped on five by Henriques at midwicket.
Australia captain Aaron Finch has made it clear that coming weeks will serve as a selection trial for the World Cup.
Hazlewood was one of few in the XI to enhance their bid for a spot in the World Cup squad, claiming the key wicket of Russell in the final over of the innings to finish with figures of 3-12.
The metronomic paceman was playing just his third T20 for Australia since taking part in the 2016 World Cup.
A congested international schedule hasn't helped but selectors have preferred Kane Richardson in the shortest format during recent years, while Hazlewood was also memorably overlooked for the one-day World Cup in 2019.
Richardson is among the players to have opted out of the current tour, wanting a break because of biosecurity bubble fatigue.
Hazlewood has a further four T20s in the Caribbean then five T20s in Bangladesh to demand selection in Australia's first-choice attack at the World Cup, which is being hosted by the UAE and begins in October.
with AAP
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