The West Indies made Australia work hard for a victory in the first T20I on the Gold Coast on Wednesday, October 5. So close, yet so far for the West Indies. West Indies bowlers continued to take consistent wickets to extend the contest to the penultimate ball of the game, but Australia fought valiantly to a 3-wicket victory. However, the game’s defining moment occurred in the first innings when West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers stunned everyone with a magnificent stroke.
Mayers, who has developed into an all-format player for the Men in Maroon over the past 12 months, played in his natural manner. West Indies stormed off to 53 in the first six overs thanks to Mayers’ attack on the Australian pacers. Mayers had struck one six and five fours out of the six boundaries, and the one maximum he did make was a true sit-admire-and-rewatch shot.
Mayers picked up a short ball outside the off-stump from the length on the third ball of the fourth over of the inning, which was bowled by all-rounder Cameron Green, and he punched it over sweeper cover into the second tier. Mayers struck the stance as the commentators gasped in disbelief at how she must have gathered that much power to send the ball so far.
Watch the magnificent shot here:
https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1577577772293099520?t=ChV3125iXW1SJOVBD1fWIg&s=19
Gautam Gambhir and Adam Gilchrist, two of the top left-handers in the game, applauded Mayers’ one of the most spectacular strokes in recent memory. The discussion was quickly joined by the spectators, many of whom remembered Suryakumar Yadav’s pick-up shot on a full-length delivery against Chris Jordan during the series against England in July of this year.
Here are some of the priceless reactions to the shot:
https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1577606117328551936?t=VmIisuSrtoCkqguEFYzrcQ&s=19
While wicket-keeper Matthew Wade continued his form from the India series by staying till the end to play a composed and mature effort to help his side win the match, skipper Aaron Finch, who played at No. 4, delivered a controlled half-century as Australia chased down 146.
A disciplined half-century from Australia’s skipper Aaron Finch, who batted at No. 4, helped his team defeat the opposition as they chased down 146. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who played through to the end, continued his strong play from the India series.
