- A T20 masterclass from Tim David crushes West Indies hopes
- Record-breaking century leads Australia to dominant series victory in St Kitts
- West Indies captain Shai Hope’s century overshadowed
Australia’s Tim David has smashed his way into the record books with the fastest ever T20 international century by an Australian, lifting his side to a stunning six-wicket win and sealing a 3-0 series victory over the West Indies in St Kitts.
David reached his maiden T20 ton off just 37 balls, clearing the ropes 11 times in a jaw-dropping innings that left cricket fans and commentators stunned.
Walking in with Australia wobbling at 4-87 and chasing a monster 215, David unleashed fury at Warner Park, launching an all-out assault on West Indies’ bowlers.
‘This is a momentum-changing knock here from Tim David,’ Brad Haddin declared. Samuel Badree simply called it: ‘insane level batting’.
David’s first fifty came in just 16 balls – the fastest T20 half-century ever by an Australian – beating the previous best set by Marcus Stoinis and Travis Head.
His brutal hitting included four straight sixes off spinner Gudakesh Motie, as Australia soared to 4-120 by the halfway mark of the innings.
Tim David smashes a straight six into the crowd during his record-breaking hundred in Saint Kitts
David raises his bat after bringing up the fastest ever T20 ton for Australia in just 37 balls
David then clattered Akeal Hosein over midwicket and crunched a boundary to third man to bring up fifty.
Teammate Mitch Owen played a calm support role, making 36 not out off just 16 balls as the pair added 128 runs for the fifth wicket.
Australia chased down the 215-run target in just 17 overs, winning with 23 balls to spare.
David sealed the win and the century by clipping Romario Shepherd to the rope at fine leg, silencing the home crowd.
Brandon King dropped David on 90, spilling a sitter on the boundary that would haunt the West Indies.
Earlier, West Indies captain Shai Hope starred with an unbeaten 102 from 57 balls, becoming just the second West Indian after Chris Gayle to score centuries in all three formats.
Hope and King had powered the hosts to 0-106 at the 10-over mark, with King registering 62 off 36 balls.
Hope’s half-century came in 26 balls, and he reached his century with a single to deep point off Ben Dwarshuis in the 19th over.
Aussies in the crowd celebrate as Australia chased down a tricky total to seal the series 3-0 with two matches left to play
Despite the Windies launching 13 sixes – 10 of them straight – Australia restricted them late thanks to tight death bowling from Nathan Ellis and Sean Abbott.
Abbott was the standout bowler, conceding just 21 runs in four overs. Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell were expensive on the small ground.
Maxwell opened the batting for Australia, smashing 20 off 7 before a miscommunication with Mitch Marsh saw him run out.
Josh Inglis hit a six and raced to 15 off four balls before falling to Shepherd, while Marsh (22) and Green (11) also fell cheaply.
At 4-92, Australia looked shaky. But David changed the game completely in a matter of overs.
From overs 10 to 12, Australia added 71 runs – 66 of them off David’s bat.
The fireworks reminded fans of Chris Gayle’s heyday, with some comparing David’s hitting to ‘Stick Cricket’ levels.
One fan posted online: ‘Goodness me this Tim David innings is reminiscent of old Chris Gayle work.’
Another added: ‘He’s smoked about a dozen balls out of the ground today, power hitting of the top most order.’
Even with the series already wrapped up, Australia will now chase a 5-0 sweep, extending their current T20 run to eight wins in nine matches.
