WI vs AUS 2025, 1st T20I Review: Mitchell Owen's dream debut hands Australia thrilling victory

Australia kicked off the T20I leg of their West Indies tour in a spectacular manner, securing a three-wicket victory over the hosts in the 1st T20I at Sabina Park, Kingston, on July 20. Riding high after a 3-0 Test series whitewash, the Aussies continued their brilliance, with debutant Mitchell Owen shining with both bat and ball.

Put in to bat, Brandon King and Shai Hope gave a solid start to the team. King hammered four boundaries before being stumped for 18, handing Cooper Connolly his first T20I wicket. Meanwhile, Hope (55 off 39) and Roston Chase (60 off 32) guided the hosts to 123/1 by the 13th over. Shimron Hetmyer looked in his zone today, as the southpaw added 38 off 19 deliveries, lacing his knock with two boundaries and three sixes.

Ben Dwarshuis (4/36) was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball and got solid support from Nathan Ellis, Owen, Sean Abbott, and Connolly, who all picked up a wicket each. Notably, the West Indies lost six wickets for just 30 runs in the final five overs. Dwarshuis’ three-wicket over, including scalps of Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Jason Holder, powered Australia to restrict the opposition to 189/8.

Happy to have the win, nice to contribute: Mitchell Owen

Australia’s chase saw them lose Jake Fraser-McGurk and skipper Mitchell Marsh early. Though Josh Inglis (18 off 8) and Glenn Maxwell (11) tried to stabilize the innings, Australia were 78/4 in the ninth over. Following the quick wickets, Cameron Green and Owen pair added a brilliant 80-run stand in just 40 balls. The debutant smashed 50 off just 27 balls, including six sixes, while Green hammered 51 off 26 with five sixes and two fours. Notably, Owen became the third Australian to notch up a fifty on T20I debut after Ricky Ponting and David Warner.

After Green’s dismissal in the 15th over, Owen continued to accelerate with Connolly, who hit a massive six off Roston Chase. Owen fell after reaching his fifty, but by then, the equation was 10 off 18. Despite Connolly’s wicket soon after, Sean Abbott and Dwarshuis sealed the win with seven balls to spare.

"Happy to have the win, nice to contribute. Nice to join those great names (of David Warner and Ricky Ponting - players who got 50s on T20I debut). (in his batting) For me, it was about trying to play positively and put the pressure back on the bowlers. Great to bat with Greeny, kept me nice and calm. First time batting with him. (On batting in the middle order) Not too much changed, I wanted to go out and hit a six first, swing hard and work it from there," Owen said during the post-match interview.