BBL hero Mitch Owen blasts Aussies to huge victory on debut against West Indies
In reply to the West Indies' 8-189, Australia reached 7-190 to win game one of the five-match series with seven balls to spare.
Owen smacked six sixes in his stunning 50 from 27 balls, combining with Cameron Green (51 from 26 balls, five sixes) for the decisive partnership.
The pair were united with Australia wobbling at 4-78 in the ninth over at Sabina Park in Kingston.
Owen, who shot to prominence with a 39-ball century for the Hobart Hurricanes in last January's BBL final, got off the mark in T20 internationals with a six over mid-off.
And the 23-year-old and Green then jointly tore into the West Indies bowlers, blasting 80 runs in less than six overs.
They took the total to 4-158 in the 15th over when Green, the ball after reaching his half-century, skied a catch.
Owen reached his half-century from 26 balls — fittingly with another six — but his memorable debut knock ended when caught at deep mid-on next ball, before Australia's lower-order completed the chase.
The feats of Owen and Green helped cover a top-order failure with Mitch Marsh (24 from 17), Josh Inglis (18 from 8), Glenn Maxwell (11 from 10) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (2 from 7) all dismissed inside nine overs.
Earlier, the West Indies posted 8-189 with Australian paceman Ben Dwarshuis' career-best 4-36 featuring three wickets in four balls.
Roston Chase struck 60 from 32 balls, captain Shai Hope made 55 from 39 and Shimorn Hetmyer hit a late 39 from 18.
Dwarshuis and spinner Cooper Connolly (1-24 from two overs) were the only successful bowlers inside 15 overs before the tourists rallied with 6-37 in the last five overs.
The fightback featured Dwarshuis' triple treat in his fourth and final over, the 19th of the innings.
The West Australian took wickets on successive deliveries but his hat-trick delivery was safely defended by Jason Holder - the West Indian was caught on the boundary next ball.
The series continues on Wednesday in Kingston before three games in St Kitts on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday (all times AEDT).
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