Josh Inglis hopes he's laid claim as Australia's permanent T20 first-drop with his match-winning knock against West Indies.
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See subscription optionsInglis blasted an unbeaten 78 from 33 balls as Australia cruised to an eight-wicket triumph in Jamaica on Wednesday (AEST).
The hosts posted 8-172 before Inglis and Cameron Green (56no from 32) led Australia to 2-173, and victory with 28 balls to spare.
The pair put on a unbroken 131-run partnership off just 64 balls as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Inglis reached his half-century from 22 deliveries, cracking five sixes and seven fours.
The wicketkeeper-batter has come in at No.3 a dozen times in 31 T20 internationals entering the West Indies series, but never more than four games in a row.
Now, with Steve Smith and Travis Head rested, Inglis is making his case to hold the spot permanently.
"I have been at the top of the order, I have been in the middle - it's definitely nicer up the top with the hard ball and field up," Inglis told host broadcasters.
"Hopefully I can make three my own. I have really enjoyed it there."
Australia lost Glenn Maxwell, opening after Jake Fraser-McGurk was dropped, for 12 from 10 balls and captain Mitch Marsh (21 from 17) inside six overs.
Inglis and Green then launched their audacious attack, making light work of the run chase ahead of the next three games in St Kitts on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday (all AEST).
Green followed his 51 from 26 balls in game one with a half-century from 28 deliveries as improviser Inglis unleashed an array of strokes to all parts of the boundary.
"It's just the nature of my size really," Inglis said.
"Guys like Greeny and Mitch, they hit the ball so far and I don't really have that luxury at times.
"So I just try and find ways that it's easier for me to score and find different areas of the ground."
Earlier, Australia's spinners were vital in restricting the West Indies batsmen.
Legspinner Adam Zampa claimed 3-29 from four overs and offspinner Maxwell 2-15 from two.
Opener Brandon King top-scored with 51 from 36 balls, but the hosts slid from 0-59 after seven overs to 5-98 in the 14th.
Hometown hero Andre Russell, in his last international match, then produced some farewell fireworks by smacking four sixes in his 36 from 15 balls.
Australia made two changes, with spinner Matt Kuhnemann given his T20I debut, replacing paceman Sean Abbott, and Fraser-McGurk dropped for middle-order blaster Tim David, returning from a hamstring injury.
Australian Associated Press
