Daijiworld Media Network – Antigua
Antigua, Jul 20: All eyes will be on Rovman Powell as the West Indies take on Australia in the first T20I of the five-match series on Monday. The former Windies captain is just 25 runs away from surpassing Chris Gayle to become the team’s second-highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals—a milestone that could make this clash one to remember.
Following a 0-3 whitewash in the Test series, where West Indies struggled with the bat despite fiery spells with the ball, the T20I format offers the Caribbean side a fresh chance to bounce back and set the tone for the road to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Powell, currently third on the West Indies all-time T20I run chart, has scored 1,875 runs in 95 matches and 83 innings at an average of 26.40 and a strike rate of 142+. His record includes one century and nine fifties, with a top score of 107.
Chris Gayle, a two-time T20 World Cup winner, sits at second with 1,899 runs from 79 matches at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 137.50, including two centuries and 14 half-centuries.
Leading the pack is Nicholas Pooran, who shocked fans by retiring from international cricket at just 29. He amassed 2,275 runs in 106 matches, with 13 fifties and a best of 98, striking at 136.39.
The T20I rivalry between Australia and West Indies stands evenly poised at 11-11. However, the Aussies have had the upper hand recently, winning five of the last six encounters.
As the series begins, West Indies will look to improve that record and build confidence heading into the next T20 World Cup cycle.
Squads:
Australia: Mitchell Owen, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (w), Tim David, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Matthew Kuhnemann, Ben Dwarshuis
West Indies: Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Shai Hope (w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Jediah Blades, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie