Josh Hazlewood’s hat-trick could not inspire Australia to victory as Darren Sammy’s blistering half-century secured a three-wicket win for West Indies in their ICC World Twenty20 warm-up match in Kolkata.
Right-arm seamer Hazlewood trapped Jason Holder lbw before bowling Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo in the fourth over of the Windies’ chase of 162.
They were struggling on 57 for five at the halfway stage, with Johnson Charles and Denesh Ramdin both falling to spin, but Sammy took the attack to Australia.
The skipper has a quick message to you our amazing fans before today’s match in Kolkata #WT20 #rally pic.twitter.com/rkE948PWs7
— westindies (@westindies) 13 March 2016
The skipper smashed six fours and a maximum in an unbeaten 50 from 28 balls, sharing a 53-run seventh-wicket stand with Carlos Brathwaite, who blasted a rapid 33, to lead his side home with one delivery to spare.
Australia had posted 161 for nine after Shane Watson struck a 39-ball 60 from the top of the order and Aaron Finch and Steven Smith weighed in with 33 and 36 respectively.
But they lost momentum in the latter stages of their innings, losing eight wickets for 55 runs, with Bravo returning 4-21 from four overs.
West Indies are England’s first opponents in Group 1 on Wednesday in Mumbai.
Source: ECB