Aussie keeper's epic blitz in audition to become Warner's ODI ...

Australia is chasing a 232-run target for victory after debutant Xavier Bartlett claimed four wickets in Friday’s ODI series opener against the West Indies at the MCG.

West Indies quick Matthew Forde created an early breakthrough for the tourists, with Australian opener Travis Head snicking a cut stroke through to wicketkeeper Shai Hope for 4.

However, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis quickly shifted momentum back in Australia’s favour, racing towards a fifty in just 28 deliveries. The West Indies was dismissed by spinner Gudakesh Motie in the 12th over for 65 (43), gloving a sweep shot to Alick Athanaze at first slip.

MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs West Indies first ODI first scorecard

Making his maiden appearance in Australian colours, Bartlett took 4-17 from nine overs to help bowl out the West Indies for 231 in the Victorian capital. The Queenslander tore through the top order during the Powerplay before West Indies No. 3 Keacy Carty revived the innings with a career-best 88 (108), which featured six boundaries and two sixes.

Carty’s knock came to an abrupt end in the 41st over when teammate Hayden Walsh fended the ball directly towards cover and called for a suicidal single. Sean Abbott nailed the throw at the striker’s end, running out a dejected Carty 12 runs short of a maiden ODI century, which Australian legend Adam Gilchrist called “unforgivable” on Fox Cricket commentary.

Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and elected to field first in Melbourne, a decision that paid dividends when Bartlett snared three wickets in the opening ten overs.

The 25-year-old’s third delivery was an absolute peach, swinging away from West Indies opener Justin Greaves and crashing into the top of off stump. He should have taken a second wicket later in the same over, but Smith neglected to review an LBW shout against Alick Athanaze that would have been overturned.

However, Bartlett didn’t have to wait long for his second breakthrough, with Athanaze feathering an outswinger through to Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis for 5.

The West Indies were suddenly reeling at 3-37 in the tenth over when captain Shai Hope attempted a wild slog against Bartlett, edging the ball through to Matthew Short at first slip for 12. Cameron Green joined the party moments before the first drinks break, with Kavem Hodge chipping a catch towards substitute fielder Mackenzie Harvey at mid-wicket for 11.

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Carty and Roston Chase rebuilt the innings with a 110-run partnership, the highest fifth-wicket for the West Indies in an away ODI in Australia. Chase brought up his fourth ODI half-century in 61 deliveries before botching a sweep-shot against leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the 37th over, bowled around his legs for 59.

Chase’s departure sparked a brief collapse of 3-25, where Carty was barbecued by Walsh and Green trapped Romario Shepherd on the pads for a golden duck. Green was denied a third wicket when Travis Head dropped an absolute dolly at deep square leg in the 44th over, gifting Walsh a second life on 13.

Matthew Forde slapped 19 (21) in a late cameo before Gudakesh Motie survived what appeared to be an inevitable run-out, with Inglis somehow missing the stumps from point-blank range. Not long after, Marnus Labuschagne missed a simple run-out chance at the nonstriker’s end, adding to Australia’s horror day in the field.

Returning to the attack at the death, Bartlett removed Gudakesh Motie for 3 to finish with the second-best bowling figures for an Australian debutant in men’s ODI. The record is held by national selector Tony Dodemaide, who phoned Bartlett earlier in the week to inform him of his looming debut.

Best figures among Australian debutants in men’s ODI

5-21 — Tony Dodemaide vs SL, 1998

4-17 — Xavier Bartlett vs WI, 2024

4-19 — Stuart MacGill vs PAK, 2000

4-39 — Carl Rackemann vs NZ, 1983

4-46 — Xavier Doherty vs SL, 2010

Uncapped seamers Bartlett and Lance Morris were selected for the series opener, marking the first time two Australian debutants have opened the bowling in a home men’s ODI since January 1997 (Andy Bichel and Anthony Stuart vs the West Indies at the Gabba).

Meanwhile, Inglis followed Cricket Australia protocols after testing positive for Covid-19 on Friday morning, occupying a separate dressing room from his teammates and distancing himself from others while on the field.

No member of this West Indies squad has played an ODI in Australia before Friday’s match, while the Caribbean side has not won an ODI against Australia in Australia since 1997.

Australian XI: Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Short, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Lance Morris, Adam Zampa

West Indies XI: Justin Greaves, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c, wk), Kaven Hodge, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Hayden Walsh Jr., Gudakesh Motie, Oshane Thomas

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