Frustrated Windies slide to defeat

Memories of the opening game of the VB Series, as Australia thrashed the West Indies largely behind the performance of Brett Lee. Lee hit a late order 38 not out to propel Australia to an unlikely 269, then took two early wickets and left the West Indian top order in a mode of consolidation. Ultimately the tourists were bowled out for a paltry 196.

Australia won the toss in perfect batting conditions and elected to bat first. In no time, Michael Clarke was away. Stroking the ball cleanly, he almost single-handedly propelled the score to 24/0 after 2 overs.

Bouncing back from a 12-run first over, Pedro Collins found his rhythm after a wild swipe by Matthew Hayden (3) gave him his first wicket. Ricky Ponting was next, out 2 balls after for duck, as he was caught at point off a leading edge.

Collins was by no means done. He bowled Clarke (21) with a beauty of an inswinger, then got Lehmann (4) in identical fashion to Hayden before him. Following on from the state of peril in Friday's rain-affected match, the Aussies were 38/4 and staring down the barrel once more.

The West Indies, however, could not pull the trigger. A 47-run partnership for the 5th wicket was ended by a Hinds away-swinger - Symonds caught behind for 31 - but Katich was growing in confidence and placing the ball beautifully through the offside field.

With Dillon and Bravo getting off to expensive starts to their respective spells, Lara found his captaincy skills being tested. A wicket was needed, but that did not come until the 33rd over, when Haddin was bowled by Bravo for 32. Just 15 runs later, Hogg was Bravo's second wicket, caught behind for 3 and Australia sat at 182/7.

The West Indian joy continued, and Katich's fine innings of 76 off 86 balls was ended by the returning Collins. Collins trapped the left-hander in front of the stumps and went to his first 5-wicket haul in limited over internationals - 5/43.

From 196/8, the fireworks of frustration began. In the next 11.4 overs, bowlers Brett Lee (38 off 44 balls) and Jason Gillespie (44 off 42 balls) defied the odds and contributed a 73-run partnership to the total, deflating the Windies and sending the score to 269/8 after 50 overs. Bravo in particular was harshly dealt with, bowling his 10 overs for 71 runs.

As in the VB series opener, the West Indian innings never really got going. Wavell Hinds (0), fresh off his hard-working hundred in his last match, edged the first ball he saw from Lee to Haddin behind the stumps - 0/1.

In Lee's next over, he found the glove of Gayle (2) to a legside delivery and saw Haddin take a spectacular catch - 3/2. Sarwan (39) and Chanderpaul (55) rebuilt to 95, then the former edged an attempted late cut to Haddin for his third catch of the innings. At 95/3, captain Brian Lara belatedly strode to the wicket.

He saw Chanderpaul to a solid half-century, then get run out due a direct hit from Michael Clarke. Chanderpaul had just called for a runner, in Wavell Hinds, so the confusion was even further compounded.

Samuels (14) and Bravo (18) came and went, with the dismissal of Lara (29) in between. Lee was the conspirator to Lara's downfall once more, getting him caught-and-bowled on this occasion. A ball later, Courtney Browne (0) was Lee's 4th victim and, when Bravo was out, the score was 185/8.

Ian Bradshaw tried to replicate his Champions Trophy heroics, but this time it was not to be, and he had his stumps disturbed by Gillespie for 15. Later in the same over, Gillespie did the same to Dillon (5) and it was all over - 196 all out. Lee finished with 4/38 off 10 overs and Gillespie with 2/25.

For his batting and bowling prowess, Brett Lee was named Man of the Match. Now the West Indies face an uphill battle to reach the VB finals series. The tourists must beat Pakistan in both matches to be played between the two teams, and hope that Australia beats the same team next Tuesday.

Score Summary:

Australia innings 269/8 (50 overs)
SM Katich 76 (86), JN Gillespie 44* (42), B Lee 38* (44)
PT Collins 5/43 (10), DJJ Bravo 2/71 (10)

West Indies innings 196 ao (44.5 overs)
S Chanderpaul 55 (87), BC Lara 29 (38)
B Lee 4/38 (10), JN Gillespie 2/25 (6.5)

Result: Australia won by 73 runs
Man of the Match: B Lee (Aus)

Posted by Liam