Record-Setting West Indies Beat Australia In 3rd T20I

Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford put on the biggest sixth-wicket partnership in a T20I to steer the West Indies past Australia by 37 runs in their third and final clash on Tuesday. Both men crunched quickfire half-centuries to propel the visitors to 220-6 in Perth with Australia managing just 183-5 in reply, David Warner top-scoring on 81 in his last appearance for Australia at home. The hosts won the first match in Hobart by 11 runs and sealed the series with a 34-run victory at Adelaide.

The West Indies made a horror start after winning the toss and opting to bat, losing three wickets in the opening three overs.

But Russell (71 off 29 balls) and Rutherford (unbeaten 67 off 40) led the fightback, with both posting their highest T20I scores in a 139-run sixth-wicket partnership that set a new standard.

Spinner Adam Zampa went for 1-65 off four overs -- his most expensive in the format.

"I was just happy I could contribute tonight," said Russell. "I think it's just the nature of this team, we are never out of it. Five wickets down, but there wasn't any panic in the change rooms.

"I'm happy we came together as a team and we were definitely playing as a unit tonight."

Australia started well with Warner and captain Mitchell Marsh reaching 61 without loss after the six-over powerplay.

Warner clocked his 3,000th run as he brought up a 26th half-century off 25 balls before Marsh departed for 17, skying a catch to Jason Holder off Akeal Hosein.

They reached 98-1 at the halfway mark but were pegged back by tight bowling.

The match turned when Australia lost three wickets for three runs. Roston Chase bagged two of them, including Warner and Josh Inglis (one), while Romario Shepherd bowled Aaron Hardie (16).

Glenn Maxwell