A classy, all-round performance courtesy of Sean Abbott propelled Australia to an 83-run win in the second ODI of their three-match series against the West Indies at the SCG on Sunday.
Australia debuted both Jake Fraser-McGurk and Will Sutherland after Travis Head and Xavier Bartlett were ruled out.
The visitors’ decision to send Australia in looked a strong one from the outset with three wickets falling inside the opening eight overs.
Fraser-McGurk (10 off 5) blasted his way to double-figures before being dismissed by Alzarri Joseph in the opening over with the paceman also finding the wicket of Josh Inglis (9 off 11) soon after.
Captain Steve Smith (5 off 10) was unable to steady the innings with the veteran chopping an Errol Forde delivery onto the stumps as the hosts fell to 3-for-50.
Cameron Green (33 off 41) and Marnus Labuschagne (26 off 33) looked destined to occupy the crease for a chunk before the pair were dismissed within six balls of one another to leave the Australians at 5-for-91.
Matt Short (41 off 55) and Aaron Hardie (26 off 36) added a handy 51-run stand but it was Abbott (69 off 63) who put together a potentially match-saving innings batting at No.8.
The hosts finished at 9-for-258 from their 50 overs with Abbott top-scoring.
Gudakesh Motie took a trio of wickets for the West Indies whilst Joseph and Romario Shepherd took two each.
The visitors’ run chase started poorly; Alick Athanaze (11 off 14) lasted just three-and-a-half overs before becoming a victim of Hardie whilst opening partner Justin Greaves (8 off 10) was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood the following over to leave the visitors at 2-for-21.
With Kjorn Ottley (8 off 14) sent back to the pavilion by Abbott at the end of the ninth over, the West Indies were reeling at 3-for-34.
It was skipper Shai Hope (29 off 65) and Keacy Carty (40 off 51) who were able to steady the course before Hazlewood came up with the breakthrough 22 overs in.
Abbott took the wicket of Carty before their final five wickets fell for 67 runs as they were bowled out for 175.
Abbott took 3-for-40, Hazlewood 3-for-43, and Sutherland 2-for-28 as the Australians secured a series win.
The third and final ODI meeting will be played at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Tuesday before a three-match T20I series kicks off in Hobart on Friday.
