Aus vs WI: 2nd ODI

Australia scored an easy victory in the second one-day international in Jamaica, crushing the West Indies by 8-wickets in what could only be termed a dominant display. Glenn McGrath starred for Australia with the ball and the batsmen compiled the runs quickly to leave the West Indies trailing in the series 2-0.

The West Indies lost early wickets in their innings and never recovered against a very consistent Australian bowling attack, particularly the pace bowlers. The batsmen were never allowed to get on top as wickets fell at regular intervals. Ricardo Powell (32) was the top-scorer for the innings and a bright partnership of 54 between Omari Banks (29) and Carlton Baugh (29) salvaged the innings a little but other than that, the batting was dismal particularly being tied down by the Australian spinners Brad Hogg and Andrew Symonds.

Best for the Australians was Glenn McGrath (4/31) in ten overs of probing seam bowling, the answer for which the West Indies didn’t have. Brett Lee (2/22 off 7 overs) and Andrew Bichel (2/27 off 5 overs) also bowled very well, as did Brad Hogg (1/27 off 10 overs). Australia’s fielders put down a couple of regulation chances, which will be cause for concern, though.

The Australian batsmen did it easily as Matthew Hayden (51) and Ricky Ponting (57*) scored half-centuries to rout the West Indies bowlers, thrashing them to all parts of the ground in a commanding display. The Australians passed the West Indian score in 35.1 overs to continue an unbeaten one-day international run which now extends back 19 matches, including the World Cup triumph.

Not much could be said about the West Indies bowling. Corey Colleymore (1/35 off 8.1 overs) and Omari Banks (1/42 off 10 overs) took the only two wickets to fall but no-one else bowled well enough to put the Australians under pressure.

So now the focus turn to St. Lucia where the West Indians will look to get a win back and the Australians to continue their streak. The form of Brian Lara will be of concern to both camps; The West Indians because he hasn’t scored many runs and the Australians because he hasn’t scored many runs and will be determined to change that in the next match.

West Indies 163 (R Powell 32 (42), O Banks 29 (76), C Baugh 29 (54); G McGrath 4/31 (10), B Lee 2/22 (7), A Bichel 2/27 (5))

Australia 2/166 (R Ponting 57* (71), M Hayden 51 (87); O Banks 1/42 (10), C Collymore 1/35 (8.1))

Australia won by 8 wickets

Australia leads the seven match series 2-0

Posted by Corey