West Indies vs Australia 2nd T20I, Kingston: Inglis & Green’s Heroics Overshadow Russell’s Emotional Farewell
Introduction: A Caribbean Night of Cricket and Emotions
Cricket in the Caribbean has always carried a special vibe — the music, the electric crowd, the history. The second T20I between West Indies and Australia, played under the Kingston floodlights on July 22, 2025, was a true testament to that spirit. What made this clash more emotional for fans was that it was set to be Andre Russell’s final international T20 appearance, turning the game into much more than just another match in the series.
Australia came into this match with momentum, having snatched the first T20I with a tense win. The Windies, however, were desperate to level the series and give one of their greatest modern T20 stars a memorable send-off. The Sabina Park crowd came in droves, drums beating and flags waving — they wanted fireworks, and they got plenty.
The Toss: Advantage Australia
Winning the toss in night T20Is in the Caribbean often becomes the first big advantage. With the pitch at Sabina Park expected to slow down but also produce dew later, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh didn’t hesitate — they chose to bowl first.
The West Indies fans, meanwhile, hoped that their batters would set a huge total and make the Aussies sweat. And for a while, it looked like they just might.
West Indies’ Batting: King Steadies, Russell Blazes
Opening for the Windies were Brandon King and captain Shai Hope, hoping to lay a solid foundation. King looked in sublime touch right from the start — timing the ball sweetly and punishing anything short or over-pitched. His footwork was sharp, his confidence visible.
Hope, on the other hand, struggled a bit for fluency and fell cheaply, chipping a simple catch to mid-wicket off Hazlewood’s bowling. But King remained unfazed. He found an able partner in Shimron Hetmyer, and together they guided the Windies past 60 inside the first eight overs.
King’s half-century, crafted off just 36 balls with well-placed boundaries and a couple of towering sixes, had the crowd chanting his name. However, when he fell attempting one big shot too many, the innings needed a fresh push.
This is where the moment everyone was waiting for arrived — Andre Russell walked in for one last time in West Indies colors. The energy inside Sabina Park instantly doubled.
Russell didn’t disappoint his fans. He smashed his first ball for four, then followed it up with two massive sixes that cleared the Kingston night sky. For a brief 15-ball spell, it felt like vintage Russell — brute power, fearless swings, and that trademark swagger. His 36-run cameo turned a decent total into a competitive one.
Yet, Australia’s bowlers pulled things back at the death. Adam Zampa, ever reliable in the middle overs, finished with impressive figures of 3 for 29, removing Hetmyer, Chase, and King. Nathan Ellis and Glenn Maxwell did the job at the other end with clever variations.
By the end of 20 overs, West Indies had posted 172/8 — not a bad score at all, but on a ground like Sabina Park with dew settling in, maybe 15–20 runs short.
Scorecard Snapshot: West Indies Innings
-
Brandon King: 51 (36 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes)
-
Andre Russell: 36 (15 balls, 2 sixes)
-
Adam Zampa (AUS): 3/29 (4 overs)
-
Nathan Ellis (AUS): 2/31 (4 overs)
Australia’s Response: Inglis and Green Rewrite the Script
The target was tricky but far from impossible for a side like Australia, known for chasing under pressure. They did have an early stutter though. Glenn Maxwell, promoted to open, fell trying to reverse sweep Akeal Hosein in the second over. Marsh, too, couldn’t convert his start and departed for 21.
At 42 for 2, the Windies had a sniff — but that’s when Josh Inglis and Cameron Green took charge in style.
Inglis, a player often overshadowed by Australia’s bigger stars, decided Sabina Park would be his stage. From the moment he stepped in, he attacked anything short, wide, or over-pitched. His powerful sweeps, crisp drives, and sheer aggression rattled the Windies bowlers.
Cameron Green, meanwhile, played the perfect foil — rotating strike smartly, pulling out the occasional big hit when required, and keeping the scoreboard ticking over. What made their partnership special was how they targeted bowlers tactically — taking apart Romario Shepherd and going after the spinners when needed.
Inglis brought up his half-century in just 22 balls — the fastest of his T20I career. By then, the crowd knew the writing was on the wall. West Indies needed wickets but found no answers as dew made gripping the ball tough.
Their unbeaten 131-run stand came at a breathtaking pace, completely deflating any hopes of a West Indies fightback. In the end, Australia chased down 173 in just 15.2 overs, winning by 8 wickets with 28 balls to spare.
Scorecard Snapshot: Australia Innings
-
Josh Inglis: 78* (33 balls, 7 fours, 5 sixes)
-
Cameron Green: 56* (32 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes)
-
Glenn Maxwell: 12 (7 balls)
-
Best Windies bowler: Akeal Hosein (1/28)
Key Moments That Decided the Match
1️⃣ King’s Departure — His dismissal triggered a slight slowdown that stopped West Indies from pushing past 190.
2️⃣ Russell’s Knock — Gave the innings late impetus but not enough to unsettle Australia.
3️⃣ Zampa’s Spell — Contained runs and picked vital wickets when King and Hetmyer looked set.
4️⃣ Inglis-Green Partnership — Completely dismantled any hopes the Windies had of defending the total.
Andre Russell’s Farewell: An Era Ends
While the scoreboard tells one story, the emotional takeaway from this match will always be Andre Russell’s final bow in maroon colors. Known globally for his fearless six-hitting, all-round skills, and game-changing presence in franchise cricket, Russell’s exit left many misty-eyed.
As he walked back, the Sabina Park crowd rose as one — phones lit, drums echoing, chants of “Russell! Russell!” ringing across the ground. In the world of T20 cricket, few players have left such an indelible mark, inspiring a whole generation of power-hitters from the Caribbean.
Series Standing and What Lies Ahead
With this win, Australia now lead the five-match series 2-0, with matches left in St. Kitts on July 26, 27, and 29. The Windies have plenty to ponder — their batting flair is still alive but discipline in the middle overs and sharper death bowling are urgent needs if they hope to avoid a series defeat at home.
For Australia, the signs are promising. New faces like Inglis stepping up only add to their T20I depth heading into a World Cup year. If they can maintain this momentum, they will be serious contenders in any conditions.
What Fans Can Expect Next
As the series shifts to Warner Park, all eyes will be on whether the Windies can find their spark again. Can they regroup without Russell’s inspiration? Can King, Hetmyer, Pooran, or Powell deliver match-winning innings? Or will Australia’s clinical approach wrap up the series early?
One thing’s for certain — Caribbean crowds will keep dancing, drumming, and hoping for that magical fightback that only West Indies cricket can provide.
Final Thoughts
The second T20I in Kingston reminded cricket fans of what makes this format irresistible — power, drama, heroes, farewells, and moments you remember for years. For Australia, Inglis and Green’s heroics will boost confidence ahead of bigger tournaments. For the West Indies, the loss hurts, but Russell’s final fireworks offered a fitting last glimpse of one of T20’s greatest entertainers.
Cricket moves on, the maroon army reloads, and the stage shifts to St. Kitts — where more Caribbean nights and T20 fireworks await!
