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KINGSTON: Australia all-rounder Mitchell Owen finds himself in elite company with Ricky Ponting and David Warner following his outstanding debut performance in the first T20I against the West Indies here on Sunday.
Owen, playing his maiden international match, smashed a quickfire 50 off just 27 deliveries and picked up a wicket with the ball to script a memorable debut.
Chasing a competitive 190, Australia were in trouble at 78/4 when Owen joined Cameron Green in the middle. The duo added a crucial 80-run stand for the fifth wicket, with Green hammering 51 off 26 balls.
Owen’s aggressive strokeplay helped Australia wrest back control before he was dismissed by Alzarri Joseph soon after reaching his half-century.
Despite his departure in the 17th over, the visitors chased down the target with seven balls to spare, sealing a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
With his half-century, Mitchell Owen became only the third Australian to score a T20I fifty on debut, joining David Warner, who made 89 against South Africa in 2009, and Ricky Ponting, who struck an unbeaten 98 against New Zealand in 2005.
Speaking after the match, Owen said he stuck to his natural game despite being slotted into an unfamiliar No. 6 role.
“I honestly tried not to look at the field too much and just sort of react to each ball, which I think held me in good stead,” he said.
“It’s obviously a little bit different [batting at No. 6], but my game plan wasn’t too different from opening.
“We had to strike at 9s or 10s when I came out, so I stayed positive. If I took my time trying to settle in, I’d only dig myself a hole. So I just tried to go after them from ball one.”
READ: Debutant Mitchell Owen stars as Australia defeat West Indies in T20I opener
