RAPID half-centuries from Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford’s played a pivotal role as West Indies finally won a white-ball format match Down Under, clinching the 3rd T20I by a handsome 37-run margin.

Russell’s remarkable 71 from 29 deliveries and Rutherford’s unbeaten knock of 67 added much-needed life to the Windies, who had been on a woeful run of five one-day defeats to Australia.

Russell thumped 11 boundaries from 29 deliveries, with Rutherford smashing 10 boundaries off his 40-ball visit to the crease.

With the Caribbean side having come up short with the runs in the opening two T20Is, suffering defeats at Holbart and Adelaide respectively, it was a different ball game inside the Perth Stadium.

Rutherford arrived at the crease after Bajan Roston Chase, who thundered 37 off 20 deliveries, was clean bowled by Adam Zampa with the score at 72.4 in the eighth over.

Jamaica’s Rovman Powell briefly kept Rutherford company, and with the skipper back in the pavilion the usual crumpling display with the bat was expected. Yet Rutherford was joined by another Jamaican in the shape of Russell. The pair put the hosts to the sword by amassing a 129-run sixth wicket partnership.

The Windies, having failed to get close to their targets in both the 1st T20I and 2nd T20I, drummed up an impressive 220-6 in their allotted 20 overs.

In response, tight bowling from Chase (2-19) and Guyana’s Romaria Shepherd (2-31) helped keep everyone except outstanding opener David Warner (81 off 49 balls) at bay to run out worthy winners.

Following their whistlestop tour, there will no doubt be some serious questions asked about the inconsistency of the Caribbean side. At least they tasted the sweet smell of success in their final foray.

TEST SERIES | West Indies drew with Australia 1-1
1st Test (January 16-18)
Australia won by 10 wickets
WI 188 all out (62.1 overs) & 120 all out (35.2 overs)
Australia 283 all out (81.1 overs) & 26-0 (6.4 overs)

2nd Test (January 25-28)
WI won by 8 runs
WI 311 all out (108 overs) & 193 all out (72.3 overs)
Australia 289-9 declared (53 overs) & 207 all out (50.5 overs)

ODI SERIES | Australia v West Indies
1st ODI (February 2)
Australia won by 8 wickets
WI 231 all out (48.4 overs)
Australia 232-2 (38.3 overs)

2nd ODI (February 4)
Australia won by 83 runs
Australia 258-9 (50 overs)
WI 175 all out (43.3 overs)

3rd ODI (February 6)
Australia won by 8 wickets
WI 86 all out (24.1 overs)
Australia 87-2 (6.5 overs)

T20I SERIES | Australia v West Indies
1st T20I (February 9)
Australia won by 34 runs
Australia 241-4 (20 overs)
WI 207-9 (20 overs)

2nd T20I (February 11)
Australia won by 34 runs
Australia 213-7 (20 overs)
WI 202-8 (20 overs)

3rd T20I (February 13)
West Indies won by 37 runs
WI 220-6 (20 overs)
Australia 183-5 (20 overs)