Unbelievable Lara mauls Pakistan

It was a special occasion for Brian Lara when he strode to the wicket in his 250th One Day International. The score was 23/1 when he entered, but was propelled to 327/4 at his departure. Indeed, there was no mercy shown against the Pakistani bowlers and Lara scored an unbelievable 156 from only 138 balls.

The final total for the West Indies is its highest in Australia - 339/4 - and it proved more than enough to defend against Pakistan, as Lara's men romped back into VB Series contention with victory by 58 runs.

Inserted to bat first by Inzamam-ul-Haq, the West Indian batsmen were confronted with difficult seaming conditions. The bowling was not particularly disciplined at all times, but it did enough to trouble West Indies. Gayle (9) was bowled by Rao, then Sarwan (2) was forced to retire hurt with a blow on his elbow from Naved-ul-Hasan.

Lara made his entry and immediately showed signs of struggles with a sore wrist. That did not overshadow his determination though, and the innings on the day was full of one-handed shots of compensation, some even carrying for sixes. Lara's last 106 runs took a mere 57 balls to compile and he was at his glorious best.

Taking 81 balls to reach his first half-century, the innings began in a mode of consolidation, but ended in landmark fashion. Some 12 fours and 5 sixes were registered off the bat of Brian Lara and he assisted in a West Indian acceleration of 198 runs off the last 20 overs of the innings. Alas, Lara was not alone. Indeed, Chanderpaul played the perfect supporting role and scored 85 off 92 balls with 6 fours and a six.

The two batsmen added 187 runs for the third wicket - a two-fold partnership of consolidation first then acceleration. When Chanderpaul was finally out to Shahid Afridi, the innings had advanced to the 43rd over, from the 11th at his entry. Wavell Hinds (moved down the order to accommodate Ricardo Powell opening the batting) was the replacement and he handled the bat admirably too, smashing an unbeaten 30 off 18 balls.

Brian Lara was dismissed in the 49th over, bowled by Hafeez attempting to loft the ball and he walked off to a deserved standing ovation. Dwayne Bravo met Hinds and ended on 3 not out.

The target of 340 was surely imposing from the start and Pakistan met some disciplined bowling from the West Indies' left-armers initially. Bradshaw was the man to break through, with Salman Butt (1) top-edging a pull shot to be comfortably held at midon.

Kamran Akmal (19) and Mohammad Hafeez (41) played well in recovery, but both were out in the space of 2 balls. Hafeez was Reon King's first wicket on his return to international cricket, caught at midoff at the end of the 13th over, then Akmal was bowled by a beautiful swinging deliver from Wavell Hinds the first ball of the next over- 65/3.

Shoaib Malik (7) was King's second victim and from 87/4 the task grew progressively harder. Inzamam-ul-Haq (30), Yousuf Youhana (45) and Abdul Razzaq made brisk contributions to the chase, but none showed the permanence or brutality of Lara and Pakistan was made to settle for 281/9.

The eventual total was also in doubt at one stage, but Azhar Mahmood played well for 40 not out and claimed a bonus point for Pakistan in the process.

The West Indies' bowling was led statistically by Dwayne Bravo (2/39), but Reon King (2/51) and Wavell Hinds (2/62) also made crucial contributions. This, after Pedro Collins was forced out of the attack with injury having bowled only 4 overs.

Unquestionably the Man of the Match award went to Brian Lara. The West Indies now moves into second position in the VB Series points standings with 9, ahead of Pakistan with 7. The two teams met again on Tuesday 1st February.

Score Summary:

West Indies innings 339/4 (50 overs)
BC Lara 156 (138), S Chanderpaul 85 (92), WW Hinds 30* (18)
Mohammad Hafeez 1/34 (3), Iftikhar Anjum 1/50 (9)

Pakistan innings 281/9 (50 overs)
Abdul Razzaq 44 (49), Yousuf Youhana 45 (46), Mohammad Hafeez 41 (41)
DJJ Bravo 2/39 (10), RD King 2/51 (10), WW Hinds 2/62 (10)

Result: West Indies won by 58 runs
Man of the Match: BC Lara (WI)

Posted by Liam