Rain pours to halt West Indian joy

"Then the rains came" - the final chapter of what was shaping up to be a fine game of cricket and possibly a rare victory for the West Indies over Australia. With Australia 43/5, chasing 195 to win, it seemed the West Indies would get its first win of the VB Series. Alas, the weather spoke otherwise. The game featured two rain interruptions and was called as a 'no result', for Australia had batted only 11 of the required 20 overs to constitute a match.

The first interruption ensured that the hosts chased a revised target of 195 off 28 overs from the initial, more comfortable, 264 off 50. In their efforts, the Australian batsmen struggled to cope with the swing of Pedro Collins and fell to 30 for 5 in the 10th over.

Lehmann (11 not out) and Martyn (14 not out) consolidated with a brisk 13 runs off 11 balls, then Australia breathed a sigh of relief as the covers were called onto the field.

Earlier Brian Lara won the toss and elected to bat in hot conditions at the Gabba. Chris Gayle started with big intent and smashed Jason Gillespie back overhead for a massive six then pulled him to the midwicket ropes. A total of 14 runs were taken off the paceman's first over and the West Indies appeared clearly intent on getting in quickly.

In typical Aussie fashion though, Gillespie was not rattled. He returned with a maiden over and then played a game of 'you miss and I'll hit'. Gayle was bowled comprehensively for 26 off 22 balls.

The next man in was Ramnaresh Sarwan. He joined Wavell Hinds, both men still recovering from the heavy criticism they received after Wednesday's contest against Pakistan, when they struggled to get settled at the crease. For Sarwan it was a more concerted effort to be positive on this night, and it paid off nicely with four wonderful boundaries.

Hinds, however, found timing near impossible and his innings was one of close shaves and frustration for the large portion. He lost Sarwan (27) trapped in front by Lehmann, then Lara was given out caught behind for 6. The West Indies captain looked very disappointed in the decision, with the replays showing the ball missing the bat by a fair way.

At 92/3, Chanderpaul began a busy innings of strike rotation and energetic cricket. A partnership of 89 runs came to pass, but Chanderpaul was caught off Michael Kasprowicz 5 short of his half-century - 45 off 48 balls with 1 six.

The remaining 10.3 overs following the dismissal of Chanderpaul featured the addition of a further 82 runs. Marlon Samuels (13) threatened form, but the brilliant fielding Kasprowicz accounted for his wicket. Kasprowicz was later amongst the action once again, taking a very good catch in the deep to be rid of Dwayne Bravo (27).

Hinds had earlier recorded his century and took some reward from his vigil of frustration. Ultimately he walked off for 107 from 138 balls and the West Indies was made to settle for 263/9 in the allotment of 50 overs.

Australia lost Matthew Hayden (6) and Adam Gilchrist (6) and trouble was readily apparent at 12/2. Then, the rain. When the players returned, Ricky Ponting was informed that his team would need 183 more runs from 24.1 overs. His efforts to contribute to the chase saw only 2 runs to his tally before an LBW decision went against him.

Three more balls and Collins got his third wicket - Symonds (0) caught behind to a ball that moved off the seam. The final wicket to fall before the soggy finish was that of Michael Clarke. He hooked Dillon directly to midon and perished for 2.

Pedro Collins finished with a career-best haul of 3 for 8 from his 4 overs, whilst Ian Bradshaw 1/6 and Mervyn Dillon 1/15 supported.

Each team took 3 points from the match, but the West Indians would surely have taken the lion's share of confidence.

Score Summary:

West Indies innings 263/9 (50 overs)
WW Hinds 107 (138), S Chanderpaul 45 (48)
JN Gillespie 3/62 (9), SR Watson 2/52 (10)

Australia innings *D/L revised target - 195 from 28 overs* 43/5 (11 overs)
DR Martyn 14* (16), DS Lehmann 11* (6)
PT Collins 3/8 (4)

Result: No Result
Man of the Match:

Posted by Liam