3 Reasons Why WI Lost to AUS in the 5th T20I Match of Australia tour of West Indies 2025

The stage was set for an exciting T20 finale at Basseterre between West Indies and Australia. The home side had a chance of victory, setting a competitive 170, built on the back of Shimron Hetmyer’s 52 off 31 and Sherfane Rutherford’s 35 off 17. Although they appeared to be in a position of power at 64/4, the Windies could not maintain that grip, and momentum slipped away as Australia launched a big chase with great poise and aggression. So where did it all go wrong for the West Indies? Let’s identify the three key reasons why they did not win.

The Middle-Order Collapse That Broke West Indies’ Backbone

The meltdown of the West Indies’ middle order delivered the decisive blow to their chances. Good batsmen came and went, with captain Shai Hope and opener Brandon King going early, and the whole Windies’ intention was ruined. Yes, Hetmyer and Rutherford got the scoreboard going with their rapid innings at the crease, but the middle order couldn’t keep up. 

Jason Holder’s 20 off 15 was valiant but not enough to recover momentum after the little cluster of wickets around the 60-run mark. It felt like the Windies had to run a marathon with their legs tied. None of the players were able to keep the innings ticking over at the required run-rate for any sustained period.

Australia’s Bowling Spell That Turned the Tide

Australia’s bowlers, in particular Ben Dwarshuis and Akeal Hosein, turned the match on its head with both precision and pace. Dwarshuis destroyed the West Indies’ hopes early by taking three crucial wickets, including both Hope and King, effectively unsettling the foundation of the Windies’ batting order. Just when the West Indies were looking to seize control, Hosein stepped up discreetly, bagging three wickets through skillful line and variation. 

Meanwhile, Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph went about their business attempting to limit the runs that Australia’s batsmen were scoring, but couldn’t help but let runs drip in critical moments. When it was then Australia’s turn to chase, Cameron Green, Tim David, and Mitchell Owen hammered the West Indies bowlers with a kind of measured madness to leave the home crowd gaping. Green’s 32 off 18 and Owen’s 37 off 17 proved the perfect antidote for the West Indies’ earlier resurgence.

Sloppy Fielding and Lack of Finishing Finesse

West Indies’ very ordinary fielding and finishing (where every run and catching opportunity should have mattered) were very few. Whether it was dropped catches like the first chance they gave themselves with Glenn Maxwell, which Australia took hold of, and they made it pay. Or the run-out of Akeal Hosein’s run-out in the last few moments of the innings, where the indecision that got dangerous in the end showed up. 

Not only that, the Windies relied too much on their few stars, and when the stars didn’t shine, the rest of them couldn’t raise the collective. The pitch in Basseterre was not overly generous for bowlers during the match, so adaptability and sharpness in the field were key aspects. Both qualities Australia had, and both things the Windies could not bring in the end of the match.

The match slipped away from West Indies like a wet crab – notwithstanding their exciting moments, they never established a rhythm with this bat, and even with Australia’s new-ball and sharp bowling and energetic fielding, they produced an interesting and lively slice of the cricket game. With three wickets left and three overs to hand and the home crowd’s joy diminished, Australia finished off the task. 

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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