Australia Defeat West Indies

Australia have retained the Frank Worrell Trophy with a hard-fought win at Queen's Park, despite a potentially match-winning innings by Brian Lara.

The West Indies resumed the day with their captain Brian Lara (52*) and vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan unbeaten on 0 at the crease.

The pair batted with style and grit to see the home side to lunch without losing a wicket.

Brett Lee and Stuart MacGill, in particular, had bowled well to ensure that very few runs were given to the pair, as Lee took a liking to the well-directed bouncers at Lara.

For a fleeting moment, victory chasing 407 looked distinctly possible, until Andy Bichel returned to the attack and snared three quick wickets following the luncheon break.

Bichel's first wicket was that of the gutsy Sarwan, who made 34 before he was caught by Darren Lehmann, who was enjoying a dream match.

Just a few overs later, frustratingly talented batsman Marlon Samuels was trapped LBW for just 1 by Bichel, leaving the hosts at 5/222 but with Lara still unbeaten at the crease.

Dave Bernard then capped off a horror debut with just 4 when he was caught by first slip fieldsman Matthew Hayden, handing Bichel his third wicket and swinging the pendulum further in Australia's favour.

However, with the next wicket, the result was decided - that of Brian Lara.

The Prince of Trinidad seems to regularly rise to the occasion playing the Australians, and combined with career-best form, he made his second hundred of the series and second score above 90 in the match.

When Stuart MacGill claimed his 101st Test wicket, with Lara being caught by Hayden for an almost flawless 122, the Frank Worrell Trophy was heading back to Australia.

Carlton Baugh topped off a promising debut with just one in the second innings, handing Brad Hogg his first wicket of the innings and Justin Langer another catch.

Despite some lusty blows from Vasbert Drakes (26*), the West Indian tail hung around for no longer than was expected.

Brett Lee gained a deserved wicket when he dismissed the hapless Mervyn Dillon for 13, with the catch snared by that man Andrew Bichel.

Jason Gillespie then claimed his third wicket, trapping Pedro Collins LBW for 5 to hand victory for the Australians.

Queenslander Bichel finished the innings with 3/21 while Jason Gillespie took 3/36. Stuart MacGill bowled better than his figures of 2/53 suggested, while Brad Hogg (1/58) and Brett Lee (1/68) rounded off the wickets.

Australia now face a healthy selection dilemma, with Glenn McGrath available for the third Test match.

In a match with many great personal performances, Ricky Ponting's maiden Test 200 stands out as the most significant, earning him Cricket Web's Player-of-the-Match award.

Scores:

Australia 4 dec. 576 (R Ponting 206, D Lehmann 160, A Gilchrist 101*, M Dillon 2/124)

West Indies 408 (D Ganga 117, B Lara 91, M Samuels 68, B Lee 4/69, J Gillespie 3/50)

Australia 3 dec. 238 (M Hayden 100*, D Lehmann 66, R Ponting 45, M Dillon 2/64)

West Indies 288 (B Lara 122, A Bichel 3/21, J Gillespie 3/36)

Australia won by 118 runs.

Cricket Web Player-of-the-Match: Ricky Ponting.

Australia lead the series 2-0 after 2 matches.

Posted by Andre