Twitter Reactions: Bartlett's 4-fer and Smith-Green's massive stand crush West Indies in first ODI

Australia beat West Indies by 8 wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series on Friday, February 02 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. After being put in to bat first, West Indies were bundled out for 231 in 48.4 overs with Keacy Carty top-scoring with 88 (108). In reply, Australia chased down the target in 38.3 overs with half-centuries from Josh Inglis, Cameron Green and Steve Smith.

Australia’s chase didn’t get off to a good start as they lost the big wicket of Travis Head (4 off 5) in the first over itself. However, Josh Inglis (65 off 43) and Cameron Green stabilized the innings with their 79-run stand off 64 balls. Gudakesh Motie brought West Indies back into the game dismissing Inglis in the 12^th over. However, Cameron Green (77* off 104) and Steve Smith (79* off 79) made sure there were no more hiccups in the chase as they took Australia home with their unbeaten 149-run stand off 162 balls.

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Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat first, West Indies didn’t get off to a good start as openers Justin Greaves (1 off 5) and Alick Athanaze (5 off 11) returned to the pavilion with just 17 runs on the board in four overs. Debutant Xavier Bartlett wreaked havoc with the new ball as he also got rid of West Indies skipper Shai Hope to leave West Indies reeling at 37/3. Kavem Hodge (11 off 18) also departed cheaply leaving his side in all sorts of trouble at 59/4.

Keacy Carty and Roston Chase bailed West Indies out of trouble

With their back against the wall, Keacy Carty (88 off 108) and Roston Chase (59 off 67) did the repair job with their massive 110-run partnership off 127 balls for the fifth wicket. Seeing the partnership developing, Australian skipper Steve Smith threw the ball towards Adam Zampa and the wrist spinner didn’t disappoint as he decimated Chase’s stumps to break the partnership.

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Carty also failed to get to his century getting run out for 88 leaving West Indies on 193/6 after 41 overs. Following his dismissal, Hayden Walsh (20 off 35) and Matthew Forde (19 off 21) took their side to 231 all out in 48.4 overs. Xavier Bartlett (4/17) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia and was awarded Player of the Match while Sean Abbott (2/42) and Cameron Green (2/40) picked two wickets each.

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on Australia's emphatic victory. Here are some of the posts: