Australia slumped to a 14-run defeat in the second Twenty20 international against the West Indies in Barbados, levelling the two-match series at 1-1.
With the tourists chasing 161 for victory, a brilliant run-out by Dwayne Bravo to dismiss David Warner sparked the home team into action as Australia ended on 9 for 146 in reply.
The result ensures Australia's seven-year wait for a T20 series win overseas continues.
"I thought 160 was about par and even batting I thought we were on track to knock it off as well," Australian captain George Bailey said.
"It would have been nice to get one big partnership at the top, which we missed.
"We lost a bit of composure at the end and there was some good bowling as well."
Warner, on the end of constant chatter by the West Indies fielders after giving Kieron Pollard a send-off during the Windies' innings, scored 58 off 43 balls and appeared to have Australia in control of its chase.
But his innings was ended in dramatic fashion by Bravo, who threw down the stumps at the striker's end from mid-on to catch Warner short, stalling Australia's innings and helping the Windies snatch victory.
"I think that was the game-changer right there. Warner was batting really, really well," West Indies captain Darren Sammy said.
"That's something Bravo is used to doing. He's an impact player and today he had a big impact with that run-out and from there the momentum just shifted."
Bailey said Warner looked as if he would steer Australia all the way to the total.
"That's Twenty20," he said.
"That's the crux of it. It's one run-out, one ball. It's an over or an innings that turns the game.
"For us to be a good team, you've got to be winning the majority of those. Particularly when you get into a situation where, even with Davey's run out, we had a platform to go on and win the game."
The two sides also shared the one-day series 2-2, with the three-Test series beginning next weekend.
"Today was a bit disappointing," man-of-the-series Shane Watson, who was dismissed for a second-ball duck, added.
"It's been an up and down series for us so far. We're continuing to learn and grow as a group and today has been another learning experience."
Fast-bowler Fidel Edwards finished with 3 for 23 off his four overs as did Marlon Samuels, while Bravo took two wickets in the final over to finish with 2 for 27.
Samuels' off-breaks took the three crucial wickets of Bailey (24), Mike Hussey (14) and Matthew Wade (17).
Edwards then picked up two wickets in two balls, Dan Christian and Brett Lee, in the penultimate over which brought Australia's late charge to a standstill.
"The work we've been doing in the camp and throughout the series has been paying off and I want to ask the boys to keep doing that," added Sammy.
"We want to keep doing well in the Tests and hopefully continue the good results."
Earlier, opener Dwayne Smith belted his maiden T20 international half-century as the Windies made 160 batting first.
Smith scored 63 off just 35 deliveries, including six fours and four sixes, to lift the Windies to 2 for 100 inside 10 overs.
But the former New South Wales player's demise sparked a collapse as the Windies lost their last eight wickets for 50 runs.
Johnson Charles (37), who shared a 72-run opening stand with Smith, and Dwayne Bravo (23) were the only other Windies batsman to reach double figures.
Brett Lee took 3 for 23 to lead Australia's bowling effort while Clint McKay (2 for 24) and Watson (2 for 26) supported with two wickets each.
Youngster James Pattinson had a day to forget, conceding 0 for 34 off his two overs including three sixes to Smith in one over.
ABC/AAP
Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, barbados, australia First posted March 31, 2012 08:59:26
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