Chris Lynn Blitz Powers Australia Champions to Thumping Win Over West Indies

On July 23, 2025, the County Ground in Northampton was buzzing with energy as Australia Champions took on West Indies Champions in the seventh match of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. This T20 showdown, packed with cricket’s biggest names, saw Australia Champions deliver a masterclass, chasing down West Indies’ modest 142 for 8 in just 9.3 overs to secure an 8-wicket victory with 63 balls to spare. The match was a one-sided affair, with Australia’s explosive batting and disciplined bowling completely outshining a West Indies side that struggled to find its footing.

West Indies Champions Struggle with Their Batting

West Indies Champions, captained by the legendary Chris Gayle, stepped onto the Northampton pitch after losing the toss, facing a surface that promised runs early but offered spinners some grip as the game wore on with a lineup stacked with power-hitters like Gayle, Kieron Pollard, and Dwayne Bravo, the Caribbean side aimed to post a big total in this 20-over clash. However, Australia’s tight bowling and sharp fielding kept them in check, restricting them to a disappointing 142 for 8, a score that fell short of their potential.

Then for Australia:
Now for Australia Champions:
Age is just a number for Brett Lee! 🔥

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The innings kicked off with Gayle and Dwayne Smith opening against Australia’s pace veteran Brett Lee. The pair started cautiously, feeling out the conditions, but Lee broke through in the 3rd over, dismissing substitute batter William Perkins for 10 off 8 balls. Perkins, who struck a four and a six, was caught by D’Arcy Short, leaving the West Indies at 16 for 1. Gayle, looking to take charge, unleashed his trademark aggression, smashing four boundaries in his 21 off 15 balls, racing along at a strike rate of 140.00. His intent was clear, but Steve O’Keefe outfoxed him in the 7th over with a clever change of pace. Gayle lofted a catch to Nathan Coulter-Nile, and at 52 for 2, West Indies lost their biggest threat, which threw their plans into disarray.

Dwayne Smith tried to anchor the innings alongside Lendl Simmons, but Australia’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Nathan Coulter-Nile struck twice in the 8th over, first bowling Smith for 22 off 20 balls, which included 3 fours and a six, and then cleaning up Chadwick Walton for a golden duck. At 56 for 4, West Indies were in a hole, with Coulter-Nile’s fiery spell of 4 overs, 21 runs, 2 wickets, economy 5.25, proving a turning point. Kieron Pollard, known for his ability to change games, came in with intent, launching a six off D’Arcy Short in the 11th over. But Short hit back, getting Pollard caught by Dan Christian for 10 off 8 balls, leaving West Indies struggling at 75 for 5.

Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Bravo offered a glimmer of hope, building a 40-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Simmons played a measured knock, scoring 29 off 28 balls with 1 four and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 103.57, while Bravo brought his flair, making 26 off 17 balls with 3 fours and a six at a strike rate of 152.94. Their stand lifted the West Indies, but Peter Siddle, Australia’s standout bowler, turned the tide in the 16th over. Simmons was outsmarted by a slower ball, caught and bowled for 29, leaving the score at 115 for 6. Siddle wasn’t done, striking twice in the 18th over to remove Ashley Nurse for 3 off 7 balls and Bravo, caught by Shaun Marsh, for 26. At 128 for 8, West Indies’ hopes of a late flourish were dashed. Siddle’s figures of 4 overs, 28 runs, and 3 wickets at an economy of 7.00 were crucial in keeping the Caribbean side in check.

Australia Champions keep West Indies Champions under 150. Peter Siddle delivers a fiery spell.

Can Chris Gayle & Co pull off a dramatic defense?

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Sheldon Cottrell, unbeaten on 6 off 7 balls, and Nikita Miller, 11 not out off 9 balls with a four, scratched together 14 runs in the final overs to reach 142 for 8. The innings included 4 extras (1 wide, 3 leg byes). Australia’s bowlers shared the load, with Lee bowling 3 overs for 20 runs and 1 wicket at an economy of 6.67, O’Keefe delivering 4 overs for 22 runs and 1 wicket at 5.50, and Dan Christian conceding 22 runs in 3 overs at 7.33 without a wicket. D’Arcy Short’s 2 overs were pricey, leaking 26 runs at 13.00, but his wicket of Pollard was a key moment. The fall of wickets with 16/1 (2.3 overs), 52/2 (6.4 overs), 56/3 (7.5 overs), 56/4 (7.6 overs), 75/5 (10.5 overs), 115/6 (15.3 overs), 125/7 (17.1 overs), and 128/8 (17.4 overs) showed how the West Indies failed to build partnerships. Australia’s sharp fielding and relentless bowling ensured West Indies couldn’t make the most of the batting-friendly pitch, setting up a straightforward chase.

Chris Lynn Helps Australia Champions Secure an Easy Win

Australia Champions, led by Brett Lee, approached the chase of 143 with a batting lineup packed with firepower, including Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, and D’Arcy Short. The Northampton pitch’s fast outfield and short boundaries were perfect for their aggressive approach, and they made the target look like a breeze, racing to 143 for 2 in just 9.3 overs to win by 8 wickets with 63 balls to spare. Chris Lynn’s explosive 81 was the highlight, supported by D’Arcy Short and Ben Dunk, as West Indies’ bowlers were left grasping for solutions.

Chris Lynn's explosive 81 off just 27 balls seals an 8-wicket victory in just 9.3 overs for Australia Champions.

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The chase began with Lynn and Marsh facing Sheldon Cottrell’s pace. Cottrell’s opening over was smashed for 17 runs at an economy of 17.00, with Lynn cracking boundaries with ease. Marsh, however, struggled to find his groove and was bowled by Ashley Nurse in the 3rd over for 7 off 9 balls, hitting just one four at a strike rate of 77.78. At 34 for 1, Australia faced a brief challenge, but Lynn took over, forming a devastating 77-run partnership with D’Arcy Short for the second wicket. Lynn’s 81 off 27 balls was pure destruction, featuring 6 fours and 8 towering sixes at a strike rate of 300.00. His 22-ball fifty, one of the fastest in the WCL, saw him hammer Nikita Miller and Nurse with massive sixes over midwicket and sharp cover drives, leaving the crowd buzzing.

West Indies’ bowlers were helpless. Nikita Miller’s 4 overs went for 48 runs at an economy of 12.00, though he got Lynn caught by Cottrell in the 8th over, with Australia at 111 for 2. Lynn’s departure left just 32 runs needed off 76 balls. D’Arcy Short, playing a steady role, scored 18 off 12 balls with 1 four and 1 six at a strike rate of 150.00 and stayed unbeaten, guiding the chase. Ben Dunk, the wicketkeeper, came in and blasted 30 not out off 9 balls, smashing 3 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 333.33. Dunk’s explosive finish, alongside Short, sealed the deal, with impact substitute Dave Mohammed conceding 5 runs in 0.3 overs at an economy of 10.00.

Australia Champions vs West Indies Champions

WICH 142/8 (20)

AUSCH 143/2 (9.3)

Australia Champions won by 8 wickets#TheCaribbeanRoar #WCL2025 #WIC #WCLS2 #InsideFieldSports

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West Indies’ bowling was all over the place. Nurse’s 3 overs leaked 48 runs at an economy of 16.00 for 1 wicket, while Shannon Gabriel’s single over cost 25 runs at an economy of 25.00. The bowlers couldn’t capitalize on the pitch’s later grip, and their high economy rates let Australia maintain a run rate above 15. The fall of wickets at 34/1 (2.6 overs) and 111/2 (7.4 overs) barely slowed Australia, as Short and Dunk powered through. Australia’s unused batsmen, Callum Ferguson, Dan Christian, Ben Cutting, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Siddle, and Steve O’Keefe gave an idea about their batting depth, making the victory even more commanding.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

After West Indies Champions posted 142 for 8 on July 23, 2025, at Northampton, Chris Lynn delivered the Magic Moment of the Day with a stunning 81 off 27 balls. His knock, packed with 6 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate of 300.00, turned the chase of 143 into a spectacle.

Player of the Match: Chris Lynn
Power-packed performance from the Aussie star!
Lights up the 7th Match of Australia Champions vs West Indies Champions

A true match-winner in style!https://t.co/7Wm3X0SNBU#AkashDeep #SaiSudarshan #Veiga #Zubimendi #KarunNair #Hato… pic.twitter.com/Pcpgx1ynFk

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Lynn’s 22-ball fifty, one of the fastest in the WCL, saw him smash Nikita Miller and Ashley Nurse with huge sixes and crisp drives. His 77-run stand with D’Arcy Short took Australia to 111 for 2 by the 8th over, making the chase effortless before he was caught off Miller.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

With his bowling turning the game, Peter Siddle was named TCNI’s Hero of the Day on July 23, 2025, at Northampton. His disciplined 4 overs, conceding 28 runs for 3 wickets at an economy of 7.00, dismantled West Indies’ batting, restricting them to 142 for 8.

Chris Lynn brings up his fifty in style!
A massive six to complete a fiery half-century, pure power from the Aussie star.

📸: Fancode

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Siddle dismissed Lendl Simmons (29 off 28) caught and bowled in the 16th over, breaking a 40-run stand at 115 for 6. In the 18th over, he removed Ashley Nurse (3 off 7) and Dwayne Bravo (26 off 17), caught by Shaun Marsh, leaving West Indies at 128 for 8, ensuring a below-par total.