West Indies opening batsman Lendl Simmons admits he was encouraged by his performance against Australia, despite the team coming out on the losing end in the fourth T20 international on Wednesday.

Simmons slammed a valuable 72 from just 48 deliveries but the team fell four runs short of Australia’s total of 189.  The win seemed well within reach with the team needing just 11 off the last over and big-hitting Andre Russell at the crease.  However, the Windies could only manage 6 off the last over.

  The win was the first for Australia for the series, as the West Indies already hold an insurmountable 3-1 lead.

“We set up the game.  My job was to set up the game.  Starc bowled a very good over and Russell wasn’t able to finish the game, but nine out of 10 times you would back Russell to finish the game,” Simmons said.

The total was the highest for Simmons since joining the provisional squad in February.  He has averaged 28.90 in 10 games so far.

“A couple of games before I got a start, 27, 30, 15, but I haven’t been able to carry on.  I’m glad I was able to carry on but unfortunately, we did not get the victory that we wanted,” he added.

“I’m not completely happy but still glad to get some runs under my name for the other games coming up and series as well.”