Watching the West Indies celebrate victory over Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday night was an unusual sight.
But it may have paled in comparison to the “strange” sensation George Bailey felt leading out an unheralded national side in the one-off Twenty20 international at the Gabba.
The West Indies bounced back from a 5-0 one-day series loss to Australia with a 27-run T20 win over the depleted hosts at the Gabba, ensuring they ended their horror Down Under tour with a smile.
It marked the once mighty Windies’ first win in Australia over the hosts in any form since 1997.
Bailey was left with a bad taste in his mouth – and it wasn’t the fact Australia had crashed to their fifth straight T20 loss.
At the same time a Matthew Wade-captained Australian team played a tour match in India, Bailey led out an inexperienced outfit featuring three T20 debutants – Ben Rohrer, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
In the end, Australia stumbled to 8-164 in response to a fast finishing Windies’ 6-191 in front of 19,562.
While players tried to thrust their name in front of Test selectors in the two-day clash with the Indian Board President’s XI in Chennai, punters were struggling to recognise all the Australian T20 players at the Gabba.
“No doubt it was a bit strange,” Bailey said of his no name outfit.
“It’s not ideal. As an Australian captain you want your full strength team out there at all times.”
At least one of the Windies’ biggest stars shone at the Gabba on Wednesday night.
Kieron Pollard backed up with 3-30, at one stage eyeing a hat-trick, after thrashing 26 off 17 balls to ensure a daunting target.
But denied Australian cricket’s biggest names due to the Test tour clash, fans voted with their feet in Brisbane – barely half of the Gabba was full for what was supposed to be this summer’s international cricket climax.
Australia looked comfortable at 1-79 in the 10th over with Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges at the crease before two run outs in three balls turned the match on its head.
First Marsh (21 off 19 balls) was caught short by Tino Best at cover, ending a 74-run second wicket stand.
Next over keeper Devon Thomas fumbled before redeeming himself by throwing down the wickets to catch out Voges (51 off 32 balls) and Australia never recovered despite the best efforts of Brad Haddin (22 off 11 balls).
The hosts initially punched above their weight after the early loss of Chris Gayle (eight) in just the second over thanks to the miserly James Faulkner (3-28 off four overs).
Opener Johnson Charles (57 off 35 balls) featured in an 88-run second wicket stand but the late hitting of Pollard, Andre Russell (23 not out off 11) and captain Darren Sammy (20 off seven) ensured the visitors lashed 48 runs off the final three overs.
Richard
Guest
thats a pretty interesting theory there RK. My theory is channell nine decides who is sexy with the viewing public through focus groups and then they tell the commentators to talk them up.
Brian
Guest
Why did they play 5 paceman when slow bowlers are so crucial for T20 and the next WC is in Bangladesh. Narine was difference between the sides. I'd have both Doherty & Lyon in my T20 team. I know those 2 are in India but surely a good opportunity to test another spinner was missed.
Mango Jack
Guest
Chris Gayle has been a big disapointment. Not only has he failed to display his devastating talents, even once, on this tour, but worse, he looks like he would rather be anywhere else than on the field. On the other hand, I like Tino Best. Short for a fast bowler, but he is quick. His 2nd delivery shot down at 151kmh. And I like his fiesty, competitive attitude, all finished with a broad smile. He reminds me of Brett Lee in his prime.
Red Kev
Guest
I like Shaun Marsh, some of his BBL innings are truly beautiful to watch. Marsh and Khawaja are two sides of the same coin – Marsh eminently suited to the limited overs formats and Khawaja to the tests, but neither has really been able to get going for Australia … yet. The commentators gush over whoever the selectors tell them too. Do you think it is coincidence that they continually talk up Maxwell and Finch? The selectors anoint players and tell the commentators to “sell” them to the public. Do you think it a coincidence that every commentator has some criticism of Khawaja handy whenever he is discussed? The selectors have told them to talk him down.
jameswm
Guest
Is it just me or do the commentators really gush over Shaun Marsh? I don't quite get it. He's quite stylish, but not to the extent they say, and no more so than several others (eg Khawaja). They rave about how good he is when he gets going. Problem is, when batting for Australia, how often does he get going? Twice in 20 innings?
Richard
Guest
West Indies too good they are a great T20 outfit. X factor and Maxwell would have been handy in this game. Faulkners star keeps rising and Voges gave us a chance but called a suicidal single in a brain snap . We need to learn from the west indies a bit in how they use movement around the crease creatively to disrupt the bowling and hit runs, Maxwell does this well. Our batters looked a bit still at the crease last night.