Mitchell Marsh produced his career-best T20 international batting and bowling figures to help Australia to a drought-breaking four-run win over the West Indies in the fourth T20 cricket international in St Lucia.
The Windies needed 11 to win off the final over after some power hitting from Fabian Allen (29 off 14) and Andre Russell (24 not out off 13) – the pair plundering 25 off the penultimate over of the innings from Riley Meredith (1-57 off four).
Mitchell Starc bowled a superb final over, conceding just four runs to Russell.
Marsh earlier scored 75 off 44 balls to steer Australia to 6-189, easily their highest score off the series in which they lost the first three matches.
A second wicket stand of 114 off 63 balls between Marsh and captain Aaron Finch (53 off 37) put the West Indies attack under sustained pressure for the first time in the series.
But after being well placed at 1-126 in the 12th over, Australia again faltered in the closing overs losing 5-40, with a late cameo from Dan Christian (22 off 14) restoring some momentum.
Australia, hit 10 sixes, just one less than they managed in the first three matches combined.
Marsh, who scored half centuries in the first two games, smashed six sixes and four fours, before he was dismissed in the 18th over.
He brought up his 50 of just 24 balls with a six over long off.
Finch reached his 50 by hammering a six and four from spinner Akeal Hosein.
In reply, Lendl Simmons (72 off 48) and Evin Lewis (31 off 14) got the hosts off to a stirring start scoring 62 off 4.5 overs before Marsh (3-24) and Adam Zampa (2-20 off four) hauled Australia back into the contest.
Zampa, who has taken 0-99 off 10.5 overs in the series, bowled Simmons which settled Australia who conceded just 22 in six overs.
With his second ball, Marsh had Chris Gayle caught by the recalled Jason Behrendorff before Zampa bowled Andre Fletcher.
Marsh then tilted the match in Australia’s direction with two wickets in the 16th over, with Nicholas Pooran and Simmons caught in the deep off successive balls.
AAP
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