Mitchell Owen scripts history on T20I debut against West Indies, becomes first player to...

Mitchell Owen played a knock of 27-ball 50 in the first T20I against the West Indies.

Australian Cricket Team and West Indies Cricket Team locked horns in the first T20I of the five-match series on Sunday, July 20. All-rounder Mitchell Owen made his T20I debut in the match for the visitors. He scripted history by becoming the first player to score a half-century and take a wicket on his debut against a full member nation.

Owen bowled one over in the encounter and leaked 14 runs in his over. However, he picked the crucial wicket of West Indies captain Shai Hope. During the chase, Australia were reeling at 78-4 when Owen came out to bat.

Owen scored 50 runs off 27 deliveries. He also etched an 80-run stand with Cameron Green for the fifth wicket. Green also hammered a half-century to power Australia to victory while chasing 190 runs.

Mitchell Owen creates history on his T20I debut

Notably, Owen is the first player to score a fifty and claim a wicket on his T20I debut against a full-member nation. With his half-century and a wicket, he broke former South African player Rassie van der Merwe’s record of 48 runs and one wicket on his T20I debut for the most runs in an innings by a debutant, who also took a wicket while playing against a Test-playing nation.

Most runs by a player on his T20I debut including a wicket (vs full member nations)

If we include associate nations, 20 players have hit a fifty and claimed a wicket on their T20I debut. Owen has also become the third Australian player to score a half-century on T20I debut. Previously, Ricky Ponting and David Warner hammered a half-century on their T20I debut.

Meanwhile, Australia defeated the West Indies by three wickets in the opening T20I. After being asked to bat first, the hosts piled up 189/8 in the first innings. Shai Hope (55) and Roston Chase (60) scored half-centuries for their team.

Ben Dwarshuis picked up a four-wicket haul for Australia. In the chase, Green (51) and Owen (50) helped Australia chase down the target with their half-centuries. With the victory, Australia lead the five-match series 1-0.

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