Australia tour of West Indies: Bowlers to Watch in the 4th Match of WI vs AUS

When it’s T20s, it’s West Indies vs Australia—so you know you’re getting satisfaction. Massive hits? Reference point. Miscues in the field? Check. A hint of chaos? Oh, totally. As we head into the fifth and final T20I of this spirited series, everything stands even, and with the oscillating momentum, it makes it impossible to consider a ‘winner’. But if you have followed this series closely, you will know one thing for sure: bowlers are the difference-makers. That’s quite a statement when batters dominate the format.

So, who are the three bowlers that you should be glued to, as a spectator, in the decider at the Brian Lara Stadium? Let’s examine the match-winners who are flying under the radar yet bowling with intent.

Akeal Hosein: WI

Watching Akeal Hosein operate in the T20 format is exceptionally rewarding. He doesn’t have an express pace and doesn’t have the leg spin rotation. But he has control and a laser-like ability to hit length under pressure.

In this series and other matches, Hosein has taken 9 wickets in 8 matches with an exceptional economy of 7.38. That’s gold dust in T20 cricket. His potential for variation in pace and trajectory is what makes him lethal, especially during Powerplay and middle overs. Throughout a series where restricting runs has been valuable, as taking wickets, Akeal is doing both.

If the West Indies are going to choke Australia’s powerful top order, then Akeal Hosein will get the squeeze on and maybe even take a scalp or two along the way.

Adam Zampa: AUS

Zampa doesn’t have the flash, but he is the exact type of bowler you loathe when trying to accelerate. His numbers back it up as well—14 wickets from 10 matches at an economy of 7.19 and a strike rate of 15.85. That is impact without a loss of consistency.

What Zampa does well is bowl attacking leg-spin without being careless. He lures batters with flight before sending a spinning ball past their outside edge or having them caught trying to slog one into the stands. He comes to life on the slower tracks of the Caribbean.

He will play a major role against West Indies middle-order guys like Rovman Powell or Nicholas Pooran, who are looking for pace but can get fooled by cunning spin. He would not be an overnight sensation if he ended up being the difference in the middle overs.

Sean Abbott: AUS

While the likes of Starc or Ellis usually hog the limelight, Sean Abbott has slowly sneaked in as Australia’s most effective wicket-taker across games. With 9 wickets in 6 matches at an economy of 7.88 and an exceptional average of 14.22, Abbott is all about knocking over the opposition at the right time.

He is not a traditional death bowler, but Abbott’s smart variations and use of the short ball become a real weapon, especially against lower-order batters looking to go big. With the pressure of a decider on, he could be invaluable given his experience and ability to remain calm under the pump.

As we reach the close of this see-saw series, it might be the bowlers — not just the destructive batters — that might make the difference. Whether it’s Hosein’s turning deliveries, Zampa’s tight lines, or Abbott’s ability to take wickets, don’t take your eyes off them once the ball is in their hands.