Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell provided overdue contributions in the middle order to help Steven Smith guide Australia into the triangular series final with a strong victory over the West Indies in Barbados
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Commentator: Shashank Kishore
8.30pm Australia are through to the final, while West Indies v South Africa on Thursday will be a do-or-die clash. This clash was right in the balance when Australia lost their openers, but the Smith-Marsh stand set things up nicely for Glenn Maxwell to redeem himself in some style. All of that reduced a Marlon Samuels special to second-best on the night. West Indies also weren't helped by the unavailability of Holder for most parts of their bowling innings, which meant they had to mix and match with the fifth bowler's quota. A competitive game nonetheless.
Steven Smith: I thought West Indies played a pretty good game. 280 was par. They fought back well after being reduced to 3 for 30. Samuels and Ramdin's stand was a good one, but I thought we pulled it back well. We didn't hit our areas as well as we would have liked. We started well, but the middle overs weren't good. Hopefully we can do that on Sunday. It was going to be a tough chase, but the wicket played well. Mitchell Marsh played a mature innings, while Maxwell finished it off with his trademark reverse slogs. We like playing good, hard cricket as long as we cross the line.
Jason Holder: We were confident at the halfway mark. Credit to Marlon Samuels for the way he played. His partnership with Denesh Ramdin set things up for us. I strained my left hamstring, hopefully I will be ready for the next game. I'm still not sure though. We felt we were in the game right till the end. I thought Fletcher slipped in three tight overs. In hindsight, maybe he could have bowled two more. We created a few chances, which didn't go our way today. It's important to regroup going into our last game. South Africa aren't No. 2 for nothing. They've done well so far.
Marlon Samuels is the Man of the Match, again: We spoke about big partnerships during team meetings; satisfying hundred (against all ICC Full Members). I get fired up when people say things to me. Nevertheless, need to step up against South Africa on Friday. I have a few friends there (laughs).
That is all we have for you. Thanks for tuning in. Goodbye and cheers. Ciao on Friday.
All over bar the shouting for West Indies. Pollard's back, but the final rites are about to be performed here. Maxwell has turned the complexion of the game single-handedly. One blow away from a fifty
Glenn Maxwell produced a jaw-dropping 46 not out from 26 balls to deliver Australia into the tri-series final and left his batting partner Mitchell Marsh lost for words at the other end
Plays of the day from the tri-series match between West Indies and Australia in Barbados
Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell provided overdue contributions in the middle order to help Steven Smith guide Australia into the triangular series final with a strong victory over the West Indies in Barbados
West Indies could be without captain Jason Holder for their must-win match against South Africa in Barbados on Friday after he injured his hamstring during the loss to Australia on Tuesday
