Aussies march into ODI tri-series final

Mitch Marsh top scored with 79 as Australia advanced to the final of the ODI tri-series with a six-wicket win over West Indies in Barbados.

Australian allrounder Mitch Marsh

Mitch Marsh top scored as Australia defeated West Indies to book a spot in the ODI tri-series final. (AAP)

A free-wheeling Glenn Maxwell left Mitch Marsh in awe as the pair pushed Australia into the ODI tri-series final with a tense win over West Indies.

Steve Smith's side needed a victory in Barbados to advance to the series decider, also at Kensington Oval on Monday (AEST).

Marsh produced arguably his most mature international knock, top-scoring with 79 not out as Australia hauled in their target of 283 with eight balls remaining and six wickets in hand.

The 24-year-old noted it was "right up there" among his best digs but was more effusive regarding Maxwell.

Maxwell smashed 46no off 26 deliveries in his first innings since being dropped.

"I was literally speechless at the other end," Marsh said, having trumped man-of-the-match Marlon Samuels' knock of 125.

"Maxi's obviously had a lot of doubts and hasn't been in the greatest of form, but an innings like that tonight really shows why he's one of the first picked in this side.

"He's just so dangerous and he can win us games like that in a few overs."

The required run-rate blew out to almost nine an over but Maxwell was in his element.

He defused mystery spinner Sunil Narine with a switch-hit six in the 46th over then creatively carted Carlos Brathwaite as Australia took 17 runs off the next over.

"He actually told me we would just take him for ones," Marsh said of Maxwell's unique approach to Narine.

"I absolutely loved it. Maxi's a free spirit, you've just got to let him go.

"When it comes off like that, it's unbelievable to watch."

West Indies coach Phil Simmons also heaped praise on Maxwell, who was demoted below Marsh in the batting order.

"He played a blinder for them and that's the sort of person he is," Simmons said.

"He's as dangerous as anyone else because of the range of shots he can play."

Smith, who scored 78, and Marsh did the grunt work in a 122-run partnership.

"We really try and get up for the big games ... it's instilled in us as Australians," Marsh said.

"To perform like that, certainly as a whole batting group it'll give us a lot of confidence heading into the final."

The 35-year-old Samuels celebrated his first century in any format against Australia and lifted West Indies to 8-282.

Smith would have banked on chasing a much smaller target after winning the toss and snaring two catches as West Indies slipped to 3-31.

But Samuels and Denesh Ramdin (91) steadied in style, breaking records as they feasted on some wayward bowling in a 192-run stand.

Sloppy fielding was again a concern for Australia, while West Indies will be sweating on captain Jason Holder's hamstring injury.

Matthew Wade dropped a one-handed catch when Samuels was on 65 and West Indies were 3-132 in the 29th over.

Samuels didn't fall until the final ball of the innings.


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Source: AAP



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