A poor batting performance by the West Indies in the third ODI in Canberra on Tuesday (February 6) opened the way for Australia’s comfortable eight-wicket victory, completing a 3-0 series sweep.

Xavier Bartlett shined again with the ball for Australia, taking 4-21, while Lance Morris and Adam Zampa each took two wickets as the West Indies were bowled out for 86 in 24.1 overs. Australia needed only 6.5 overs to reach the goal, with Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis performing admirably with the bat.

Alick Athanaze top-scored for West Indies with 32 off 60 deliveries and tried to hold the innings together even as Australia kept pegging away at the other end. Bartlett, Morris, and Sean Abbott all got amongst the wickets as West Indies were reduced to 44/4 in the 13th over. But Australia had an injury setback as debutant Morris, having bowled three deliveries in his fifth over, walked off the field with a side strain.

Athanaze and Roston Chase attempted to calm the sinking West Indies ship, but the former’s removal terminated a partnership for 27 runs, the highest in the innings, leaving West Indies at 71/5. The lower order offered no resistance after that, as the West Indies lost their last six wickets for only 15 runs.

Australia got a strong start in the chase, with Fraser-McGurk and Inglis scoring fours and sixes in their 67-run opening stand. Fraser-McGurk, on the other hand, was removed by Alzarri Joseph for 41 off 18, which included five fours and three sixes. Aaron Hardie’s stay was cut short when Oshane Thomas bowled him, but Inglis and Steve Smith sent Australia over the line in the seventh.Brief scores: West Indies 86 in 24.1 overs (Alick Athanaze 32; Xavier Bartlett 4-21, Lance Morris 2-13) lost to Australia 87/2 in 6.5 overs (Jake Fraser-McGurk 41, Josh Inglis 35*; Oshane Thomas 1-7) by 8 wickets.