Australia has etched its name in the record books by becoming the first team to whitewash both a Test and T20I series against a full-member nation. The Aussies sealed the feat with a hard-fought 3-wicket win in the fifth T20I, completing a dominant 8-0 sweep over the West Indies (3-0 in Tests and 5-0 in T20Is).
In a curious trend, Australia won all eight tosses on the tour and consistently opted to field first. The West Indies had a disastrous start to the innings in the fifth T20I, losing their top three within 4.4 overs. However, a spirited 52 off 31 from Shimron Hetmyer, along with valuable cameos from Sherfane Rutherford (35) and Jason Holder (20), lifted the hosts to 170 before they were bowled out in 19.4 overs
Ben Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 41, while Nathan Ellis (2 for 32) and Adam Zampa (1 for 20) – playing in his 100th T20I – chipped in with crucial breakthroughs to contain the Windies.
Australia’s chase began on shaky ground, with the top order crumbling during the powerplay. Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, and the in-form Tim David were all dismissed early, with Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph doing the early damage.
Despite the shrink in the start, a resilient 63-run partnership between Mitchell Owen and Tim David steadied the innings and brought Australia back into the contest. Akeal Hosein sparked a mini-collapse with a superb spell of 3 for 17, removing Owen, David, and Dwarshuis in quick succession.
With the match in the balance, Aaron Hardie held his nerve, smashing two boundaries and a six in an unbeaten 28 to guide Australia home in the 17th over.
According to Espncricinfo, Adam Zampa became the fourth Australian to feature in the 100th T20I match after Maxwell (121*), Warner (110), and Aaron Finch (103). Ben Dwarshuis was named Player of the Match for his key wickets of Shai Hope, Brandon King, and the dangerous Hetmyer. Cameron Green was adjudged Player of the Series, thanks to his consistent performances, including three half-centuries in the five-match T20I series.
With this commanding tour sweep, Australia reaffirms its supremacy across formats and makes history as the first nation to whitewash a full-member team in both Test and T20I series on the same tour.