Australia are unbeaten in the tournament so far and became the first team from their group to progress to the final four. With eight points from four matches, they have opened up an unassailable lead in Group 1. Though the result set back West Indies’ chance to make the semi-final, they still have a minscule chance, along with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
After West Indies chose to field first, Australia put on a commanding show with the bat. Will Malajczuk (48) and Nitesh Samuel (56) gave them a solid start, stitching a 73-run partnership for the first wicket.
But it was captain Oliver Peake’s well-paced 109 that took Australia past the 300-mark. After a quiet start to the tournament, the southpaw came into his own against the West Indies on a batting-friendly strip at the Harare Sports Club. He struck nine fours and up his first century of the tournament with a six over long on.