On a humid Sunday evening in Kingston, Jamaica, Australia cricket team pulled off a nail-biting three-wicket win over the West Indies cricket team in the first T20I of their five-match series, chasing down 190 with just two balls to spare. The match, played at Sabina Park under clear skies, drew nearly 15,000 fans — the stadium’s capacity is 20,000 — and set the tone for what could be one of the most unpredictable T20I series in recent memory. The real star? Mitchell Owen, whose blistering 50 off 27 balls and a crucial wicket earned him Player of the Match — a rare feat for an opener who doesn’t bowl full spells.
West Indies’ explosive start, then collapse
West Indies looked set for a massive total after Roston Chase exploded for 60 off just 32 balls — six fours and four sixes — lifting the innings when it needed it most. Shai Hope added 55 off 39, and for a while, it seemed the home side might threaten 220. But then came the collapse. After reaching 171 from their top four batters, the final four wickets fell for just 18 runs. The death overs were a nightmare: three wickets in the 18th over alone, including Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford, both dismissed in the same over by Ben Dwarshuis. The confusion over the exact fall of wickets — conflicting reports from different sources — only added to the chaos. Was it 1-32 or 1-125? The truth? The middle order simply couldn’t hold.
Australia’s chase: calm under pressure
Australia’s chase started shaky. Jake Fraser-McGurk was out early, caught off a ball that skidded through low — a reminder that Sabina Park’s pitch, though flat, can still surprise. But then came the counterpunch. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis took on the spinners in the Powerplay, racing to 64/2 — faster than West Indies’ 56/1. When Marsh fell for 31, the pressure mounted. Enter Cameron Green and Mitchell Owen. Their 91-run partnership, built on clean striking and smart running, turned the game. Green, the powerhouse all-rounder, smashed 51 off 26 — a six every 3.5 balls. Owen, quieter but just as lethal, stayed cool, finishing 50* off 27 with a six off Jason Holder’s final over.
Bowling heroics and the quiet architect
Ben Dwarshuis was the quiet assassin. His 4 for 36 in four overs — including the key wickets of Chase, Russell, Rutherford, and Holder — dismantled West Indies’ momentum. He didn’t celebrate wildly. He just walked back, towel over his shoulder, eyes locked on the next ball. For West Indies, Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie held their ground — 2 wickets each — but the lack of penetration in the middle overs hurt. Nathan Ellis, often overlooked, took the lone wicket of Mitchell Marsh, but couldn’t stop the momentum.
And then there was Owen — the unsung hero. He didn’t just bat. He bowled his two overs for 14 runs and a wicket. That’s not just all-round. That’s match-winning.
What this win means
Australia now leads 1-0 in the series, extending their dominance in T20I history — 14 wins in 20 meetings since 2008. But this wasn’t a routine victory. West Indies showed fight. The power-hitting of Chase, the calm of Hope, the aggression of Powell — they’re building something. And with ticket sales for the remaining matches up 35%, the Caribbean is waking up to this series. Sabina Park, nestled near the University of the West Indies campus, isn’t just a ground — it’s a cultural heartbeat.
The weather for the next match on Tuesday, July 22, is expected to be similar: 32°C, 70% humidity. That could mean slower outfield, less swing — more batting paradise. But with Australia’s depth and West Indies’ hunger, don’t expect another easy win.
What’s next?
The second T20I is set for Tuesday, July 22, again at Sabina Park. West Indies will need to fix their death-over bowling — they conceded 48 runs in the final three overs in this match. Australia, meanwhile, might rotate their spinners, giving Adam Zampa a rest after a quiet outing. And if Owen keeps this form? He could become the breakout star of the series.
Behind the numbers
- West Indies: 189/8 in 20 overs — highest score in their last 5 T20Is at Sabina Park
- Australia: 190/7 in 18.5 overs — fastest chase against West Indies in T20Is since 2023
- Ben Dwarshuis: 4/36 — best bowling figures by an Australian in T20Is in the Caribbean
- Mitchell Owen: 50* (27), 1/14 — first player since 2021 to score 50+ and take a wicket in a T20I chase
- Attendance: 14,892 — highest for a T20I at Sabina Park since 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Mitchell Owen named Player of the Match despite not being the top scorer?
Owen’s 50 off 27 balls was the fastest half-century of the match, and his bowling figures of 1/14 in two overs — including the crucial wicket of Rovman Powell — broke a dangerous partnership. His all-round impact directly shifted momentum, making him the most valuable player on the day, even though Cameron Green scored more runs. The award rewards impact, not just stats.
What caused West Indies’ collapse in the final overs?
West Indies’ middle order failed to rotate strike under pressure. After Chase and Hope were out, the tail tried to go big too early. Ben Dwarshuis exploited this with tight lines and a well-disguised slower ball. The pitch, while flat, had slight wear by the 17th over, making it harder to hit through the line. Only two of their last seven batters reached double figures.
How does this result affect Australia’s World T20 preparations?
This win gives Australia confidence in their middle-order depth and death-bowling options. With Green and Owen showing they can anchor chases, and Dwarshuis proving he can close out games, Australia now has multiple finishers — a key trait for the 2026 T20 World Cup. It’s also a psychological edge: they’ve now won 14 of their last 20 T20Is against the West Indies.
Is Sabina Park becoming a batting paradise again?
Not exactly. While the pitch was flat, the real story was the outfield — fast and hard, allowing boundaries to come easily. But the ball still seamed early and skidded late. The 189 total was high, but only because of individual brilliance, not pitch conditions. Teams still need to adapt to its unique bounce, which varies more than other Caribbean grounds.
Why did ticket sales jump 35% after this match?
The match delivered drama: a high-scoring chase, last-over tension, and standout performances from both sides. Fans who expected a blowout got a thriller instead. With West Indies showing they can compete, and Australia proving they’re not invincible, the series now feels genuinely open. Local media coverage spiked, and social media buzz around #WIvsAUS2025 went viral in the Caribbean — a rare thing for a T20I series.
Who’s likely to be the next Player of the Match in the 2nd T20I?
If West Indies bat first, keep an eye on Shai Hope — he’s been in form and loves Sabina Park. If Australia chases again, Cameron Green could repeat his heroics. But the dark horse? Alzarri Joseph. He’s the only West Indies bowler who can consistently hit 145+ kph. If he finds rhythm, he could single-handedly dismantle Australia’s top order.
