Having taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, West Indies will play Australia again on 15 July, in the fourth T20I at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia. West Indies last won a bilateral series in any format against Australia with more than one game to spare in 1995.
Nicholas Pooran’s West Indies hit their stride after a hard-fought 2-3 defeat in the T20Is against South Africa. Veterans Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo have unearthed some of the old magic, while newcomers like Obed McCoy and Hayden Walsh Jr have welcomed the challenge. Andre Russell, too, has found his rhythm at the right time. He has got 82 runs so far in three matches, at a staggering strike rate of 216.
Australia, in the absence of several key players, have looked sub-par. Barring Mitchell Marsh, no one has been at his best. Aaron Finch, their captain and key batter, has got 4, 6 and a 31-ball 30, which has led to him drop from second to third in the ICC Rankings.
The average total after 16 T20Is in St Lucia is 158. Teams who have batted first have won the same number of games as the team who have chased, at 8-8.
Betway Fantasy tips
- Despite suffering humiliating defeats, Finch has called the coin toss correctly all three times.
- Russell has been revitalised, so has been Gayle. Expect fireworks in these two games.
- Mitchell Starc returned 1-15 in the last game, his most economical full spell in T20Is. Along with Josh Hazlewood, will be key against Gayle, Russell, and Shimron Hetmyer. Remember, Gayle smashed 18 in four balls, off Hazlewood, in the last encounter.
- Walsh Jr has taken eight wickets in three games so far, averaging 8.75. His economy rate of 5.83 is equally impressive.
Likely XIs
West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (c and wk), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh Jr, Fidel Edwards, Obed McCoy
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Philippe, Ashton Turner, Moises Henriques, Ashton Agar, Daniel Christian, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
Prediction
West Indies to win the contest and make it 4-0.