West Indies 86 (Bartlett 4-21) vs Australia
Playing their 1000th ODI, the second nation to do so after India, Australia routed West Indies for 86 as they close in on a 3-0 series victory following comprehensive victories in Melbourne and Sydney.
Australia are on track for their 12th straight victory in the 50-over format, but were aided by shoddy West Indies effort with a number of batters dismissed in tame fashion. It is the fifth lowest score for West Indies in their ODI history as they were dismissed after just 24.1 overs.
But it wasn’t all rosy for Australia with Morris, who returned to the side along with Bartlett in place of injured Matthew Short and a rested Josh Hazlewood, coming off the ground midway through his fifth over with a side strain. He will have a scan and faces a nervous wait ahead of Australia’s tour of New Zealand.
Steven Smith elected to bowl under bleak skies with Bartlett looming as a major threat in seaming conditions. After having a breather following his stunning four-wicket debut at the MCG, Bartlett was immediately on the money with the new ball and he had opener Kjorn Ottley lbw in his second over.
But Athanaze and Keacy Carty held firm as West Indies’ fortunes momentarily seemed to turn with the sun emerging and they eyed a decent total on the traditionally batting-friendly Manuka Oval surface.
West Indies avoided the early collapses that marred their opening two games, but the introduction of Morris in the 11th over soon left them in familiar woe.
Morris had his first international wicket when Carty was brilliantly caught by a flying Marnus Labuschagne at backward point. Captain Shai Hope unsuccessfully reviewed an lbw decision off Sean Abbott in the next over before Morris clean bowled debutant Teddy Bishop with a searing full delivery that rattled the stumps.
In a contrast to when he took the new ball at the MCG, Morris enjoyed being held back in a role he usually relishes with Western Australia at domestic level. He bowled consistently in the mid 140kph and a threatening short of a length before going off the ground.
Athanaze had held the innings together until he threw away his wicket with a rash sweep stroke against legspinner Adam Zampa that was caught deep backward square
Smith went on the attack and brought back Bartlett, who on his first delivery nicked off Romario Shepherd. West Indies’ woeful performance was summed up with a comical run out of Matthew Forde, who bickered with batting partner Roston Chase on his way off.
Their hopes of ending a 27-year ODI losing streak to Australia in Australia appeared forlorn.