West Indies

Before the start of the tournament in Australia, Sammy had written in his column for the ICC that one could expect something special from a young West Indies side led by Nicholas Pooran. But the side were a pale shadow of their illustrious past self, losing to Scotland and Ireland in Hobart to make an early exit from the showpiece event.

As per PCB, the decision was taken with the view to get more preparation for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, which is set to be played in the West Indies and the USA in 2024. "The Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies have agreed to postpone the three-match T20I series, which was due to take place in January 2023 in Pakistan, to the first quarter of 2024," the PCB said in a statement.

After making 153/7 in their 20 overs, with Sikandar Raza's brilliant 3/19 causing a middle-order meltdown, West Indies didn't have a good start to their defence as Zimbabwe's stand-in captain Regis Chakabva hit three fours in an 18-run opening over off Kyle Mayers. Joseph, who took career-best figures of 4/14 in his four overs, struck in his second over after conceding 11 runs in the opening over as Chakabva chopped on to his stumps.

Captain Finch's surprise demotion down the order paid off as the home team chased down the target of 146 with just a ball to spare. Chasing a modest target, Australia didn't have a smooth sailing. They lost the wickets of David Warner, Green, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Tim David were dismissed inside the first eight overs of the innings.

West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews top scored for the West Indies with 30 and then returned to take four crucial wickets while conceding 12 runs with the ball, but ended up on the losing side. Hayley had got the West Indies innings off to a flyer, smashing four boundaries on the way to 30 off 28 balls, but Fran deceived her with the left-arm spin and had her skying a comfortable catch to Suzie.

The 30-year-old Lewis has been recalled for the first time since the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. Apart from the veteran, he squad also has two uncapped players in - right-arm leg-spinner allrounder Yannic Cariah and left-arm batting allrounder Raymon Reifer.

However, the West Indies will have to rely on other results if they are to avoid next year's Qualifier. Babar Azam's side registered a narrow nine-run triumph over a fighting Netherlands in Rotterdam on Sunday and moved equal on points with second-placed Bangladesh as a result of the win.

On a pitch assisting the bowlers, left-arm spin all-rounder Akeal Hosein and pacer Alzarri Joseph picked three wickets each to bowl out New Zealand for just 190 in 45.2 overs. The chase was not straightforward for the West Indies. But Shamarh Brooks made a patient 79 off 91 balls to ensure West Indies had a rare clinical performance in ODI cricket and take a 1-0 lead in three-match series.

"I was a little bit shocked when I got asked to open the batting, so it was a nice surprise (to score at the top of the innings)," the 31-year-old Conway said on SENZ Mornings. Conway had scores of 43, 42 and 21 while partnering with seasoned opener Martin Guptill, and together they played a key role in the Black Caps winning the series 2-1.

Russell, who last featured for his country in last year's ICC T20 World Cup in Dubai, said at 34 it was his wish to win the Cup for his country. Speaking to former team-mate Daren Sammy about his international availability prior to a domestic match in England, Russell told Sky Sports: "I always want to play and give back.