Australia withstood a marauding innings by West Indies captain Darren Sammy to secure a series-levelling victory in the final one-day international in Saint Lucia.
Hometown favourite Sammy belted 84 off just 50 deliveries in Gros Islet, including six sixes to thrill a capacity crowd, but Australia held on to secure a 30-run victory that ensured the five-match series finished 2-2, with the third match tied.
In its best batting performance of the series Australia posted 9 for 281 after being sent in by West Indies, with David Warner (69), captain Shane Watson (66) and Peter Forrest (53) all scoring half-centuries.
In reply West Indies was always on the back foot after a Brett Lee double-strike, before Sammy combined with Andre Russell (41) to smash 101 runs off 59 balls for the eighth wicket.
Russell's dismissal halted the onslaught and Australia was able to close out the match to avoid its first one-day series defeat against West Indies in 17 years.
"We've had them in trouble throughout the whole series and they (West Indies) just seem to find a way to fight back," Watson said.
"There's no doubt we're not executing our skills exactly right but it's some pretty impressive batting as well.
"The way Darren Sammy batted today, I've never seen him bat like that. To be able to do it under pressure was very impressive."
Warner and Watson gave Australia the perfect start, adding 118 for the first wicket at a run a ball before Forrest held the middle overs together with his patient knock.
A decision to promote Lee to number five in a pinch-hitting role did not work out with the fast bowler only scoring 12 but Matthew Wade's late cameo (26 off 17 balls) gave Australia momentum going into the innings break.
All-rounder Russell, who made several athletic stops in the field, claimed 4 for 61 off nine overs with Kemar Roach (3 for 53) and Sunil Narine (2 for 55) the other wicket-takers.
Lee (3 for 42) made a brilliant start with the ball, removing Johnson Charles and Marlon Samuels for ducks as he bowled three straight maidens to leave West Indies 2 for 7 after five overs.
A sickening collision between wicketkeeper Wade and Ben Hilfenhaus as the fast bowler claimed a high catch to remove Carlton Baugh left Wade on the ground in agony.
The Victorian recovered to see out the match but will be hoping any injuries he sustained are not serious enough to rule him out of Wednesday's (AEDT) first Twenty20 match.
Baugh's wicket came when Australia was cruising to victory, the dismissal of Kieron Pollard for 33 shortly after leaving West Indies 7 for 118.
But that was before Sammy arrived to ensure a fitting end to a thrilling series.
"It's disappointing but looking at the team, the way the guys have shown signs of maturity ... the whole camaraderie of the team, the way we play with a never-say-die attitude, it gives me hope," Sammy said.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, saint-lucia First posted March 26, 2012 09:10:16
No comments:
Post a Comment