A stunning century from Tim David powered Australia to a dominant six-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third T20I at Warner Park, St Kitts, securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing a challenging 215-run target, Australia appeared in trouble at 87 for 4 by the ninth over. But David turned the game on its head with an explosive unbeaten 102 off just 37 balls the fastest T20I century by an Australian. His innings featured 11 towering sixes and six boundaries, with a brutal assault on the West Indies’ spin trio. He hammered four sixes in a row off Gudakesh Motie in a particularly punishing over and was eventually dropped on 90 before reaching his milestone with a flicked four to fine leg.
David’s onslaught was complemented by Mitchell Owen, who struck a rapid 36 off 16 deliveries. The pair combined for a match-winning unbroken 128-run partnership for the fifth wicket, guiding Australia to victory with 23 balls to spare.
Earlier, the West Indies looked in control after a superb 125-run opening stand between Shai Hope and Brandon King. Hope carried his bat for a career-best 102 not out from 57 balls, bringing up his maiden T20I century with a flurry of boundaries and clean straight hitting. King supported well with 62 off 36, but the hosts faltered in the closing overs, managing just 49 runs in their last five despite sitting comfortably at 161 for 1 after 15.
Australia’s bowlers, particularly Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis, executed tight lines at the death. Abbott’s figures of 0-21 from four overs stood out, as he bowled the only two overs in which the West Indies failed to score a boundary or six.
Despite a brisk start from Australia’s openers, a middle-order wobble saw four wickets fall for 56 runs. Glenn Maxwell’s run-out and cheap dismissals of Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green added pressure before David stepped in.
The series continues with two more matches in St Kitts, but the visitors have already claimed the trophy, winning 10 of their last 11 T20Is while the West Indies have now lost nine of their last 10.
