Australia has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in its T20 series against the West Indies after defeating the Caribbean team by 17 runs in St. Vincent on Sunday morning AEDT.
The hosts fell short of the 165-run target despite a fighting half-century from captain Hayley Matthews, whose 41-ball 56 would have sent a scare through the Australian camp.
However, the spin duo of Alana King (2-25 from four overs) and Georgia Wareham (1-16 from three overs) strangled the West indies batters during the middle overs before a late flurry from veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin, who struck two sixes in an unbeaten 39 from 28 balls.
But it proved too little too late for the West Indies, who could only manage 4-147 from their 20 overs.
Watch Live & Free coverage of the 2026 Marsh Sheffield Shield with Kayo Freebies | Register free now >
“I’m just loving having the ball in my hand, I think it’s coming out really well,” King, named player of the match, said during the post-match presentation.“I’m just grateful for the opportunity, trying to take it with both hands.”
King continues her impressive return to the national T20 side after being dropped for last month’s home series against India, giving the national selectors some headaches ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup campaign in the United Kingdom.
“She’s bowled some really hard overs,” said Australian captain Sophie Molineux, who once again played as a specialist fielder as she recovers from a back injury.
“The game was in the balance, and we threw the ball to her and she did the job.”
Molineux provides injury update | 00:58
Earlier, Australia posted 5-164 after Molineux won the toss and chose to bat first at Arnos Vale Ground, with superstar Ellyse Perry hitting a 28-ball 42 before picking out cow corner. Opener Georgia Voll (39 off 23 balls) and fellow youngster Phoebe Litchfield (35 off 29 balls) made promising starts with the bat but failed to convert, both caught in the outfield.
West Indies opener Qiana Joseph was run out in the fourth over of the run chase before Matthews and the experienced Stafanie Taylor rebuilt the innings with a 73-run partnership for the second wicket, but King removed the pair in consecutive overs to give Australia the ascendancy.
Elsewhere, all-rounder Ash Gardner was ruled out of the match due to “hamstring awareness”, with Cricket Australia confirming her availability for the series finale was yet to be determined. Her absence opened the door for Nicola Carey’s return to the national side, slapping a couple of boundaries at the death and producing three wicketless overs.
The third and final T20 between the West Indies and Australia commences at the same venue on Tuesday at 9.30am AEDT.