Maxwell's Amazing Century Leads Australia to Series Victory
In a sensational display of batting prowess, Glenn Maxwell powered his way to an unbeaten 120 off just 55 balls, securing a record-equalling fifth century in T20Is. This remarkable feat not only leveled him with Rohit Sharma for the most centuries in the format but also propelled Australia to a commanding victory over West Indies by 34 runs in the second T20I at Adelaide Oval on Sunday (February 11).
Maxwell's onslaught paved the way for Australia to set the highest-ever T20I total in their country. Despite losing early wickets during their pursuit of the challenging target, West Indies failed to mount a serious threat. Rovman Powell's valiant 63 off 36, Andre Russell's quickfire 37 off 16, and Jason Holder's unbeaten 28 off 16 provided some resistance but only managed to narrow the margin of defeat.
The day began on a shaky note for Australia as Josh Inglis departed early after a hesitant start. However, skipper Mitchell Marsh injected aggression with a quick cameo, setting the tone for the innings. David Warner played a supporting role in the partnership, but both fell within eight deliveries, offering West Indies a momentary reprieve.
The true carnage began on the favorable batting surface with short square boundaries when Maxwell, after a brief settling period, unleashed his trademark strokes. His partnership with Marcus Stoinis saw Maxwell's dominance, with Stoinis contributing a mere 16 to their 82-run stand. Tim David's unbeaten 31 off 14 further fueled the onslaught, leading Australia to a formidable total. Maxwell's display featured his signature shots, including a jaw-dropping reverse-pull against Akeal Hosain.
For West Indies to stay in contention, they needed an almost flawless run chase, which proved elusive. Despite brisk starts by Johnson Charles and Nicholas Pooran, along with the early dismissal of Brandon King, Australia maintained control. Powell and Russell showcased power-hitting skills, but the required task was beyond their reach. The bowlers, recognizing the dimensions, forced the West Indies batters to hit down the ground, with Marcus Stoinis emerging as the most successful among them.
In the end, Australia's total of 241/4 in 20 overs proved insurmountable for West Indies, who managed 207/9 in their 20 overs. The victory for Australia was a testament to Maxwell's extraordinary innings and the team's collective effort in both batting and bowling.
Brief scores: Australia 241/4 in 20 overs (Glenn Maxwell 120*, Tim David 31*) beat West Indies 207/9 in 20 overs (Rovman Powell 63, Andre Russell 37; Marcus Stoinis 3-36, Josh Hazlewood 2-31) by 34 runs.