West Indies took advantage of a sensational late batting collapse by Australia to beat the visitors by 18 runs in the first of five T20Is on Friday.

The home side scored 145/6 after being sent in to bat, with No. 6 batsman Andre Russell scoring 51 off 28 balls and opener Lendl Simmons adding 27.

Australia were cruising to expected victory at 70/3 when they lost six wickets for 19 runs and were all out for 127 in 16 overs. Obed McCoy took 4/26 and Hayden Walsh added 3/23 for the West Indies.

Mitch Marsh top scored with 51 and took two wickets. Josh Hazlewood finished with 3/12.

Opener Matthew Wade got Australia off to a strong start with 33 from 14 balls, but it was wasted after the late collapse.

Players on both teams took a knee just before fast bowler Mitchell Starc’s first delivery of the match at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard pulled out with a late injury handing the captaincy to Nicholas Pooran for the first time.

McCoy was named Man of the Match. “I’ve been working really hard . . . it was just all about execution and sticking to the team plan,” McCoy said.

“I was just trying to mix up my pace as much as I can.”

Brief scores: WI 145/6 in 20 (Andre Russell 51, Josh Hazlewood 3/12). Australia 127 in 16 (Mitch Marsh 51; Obed McCoy 4/26). WI won by 18 runs.