ESPNcricinfo
Sean Abbott starred on his home ground with a standout all-round display as Australia overcame tricky batting conditions at the SCG to take a 2-0 lead in the ODI series. Abbott’s career-best 69 led a lower-order fightback for the home side then, after it was West Indies’ spinners who caused the most problems, Australia’s quicks did the damage to the chase.
Abbott finished with 3 for 40 – his third wicket coming courtesy of a stunning catch by Cameron Green at midwicket – to go alongside his half-century and for good measure added two well-judged catches. Will Sutherland, one of two debutants for Australia, claimed his maiden international wicket by removing Romario Shepherd. Josh Hazlewood, who was called up for this game as Australia managed their resources, showed his class with three scalps.
Australia had been 91 for 5 and later 167 for 7, as Gudakesh Motie claimed 3 for 28 when Abbott dominated the closing stages with Sutherland offering support in an innings-high stand of 57. Abbott’s final score was the joint fifth-highest for Australia from No. 8 and below in ODIs.
Summarized scores: Australia 258 for 9 (Abbott 69, Short 41, Motie 3-28) beat West Indies 175 (Carty 40, Abbott 3-40) by 83 runs