Aus beat WI in 1st ODI

The rain tried its best, but Australia ultimately squeaked home to a 2-run victory over their hosts at Sabina Park today. Early in the day, Dillon 2/53 bowled well to account for both openers within the first 9 overs.

Gilchrist (21) skied a pull shot and Hayden (7) was smartly taken at first slip by Gayle. Ponting and Lehmann then proceeded to consolidate with an 84-run partnership. It included a comical mix-up which saw Gayle forgetting to take the bails off to runout Ponting and throwing the ball to the opposite end in attempt to dismiss his partner, Lehmann.

Ponting was soon dismissed caught right back on the boundary for 59 and Lehmann (55), who struggled throughout most of his innings, was out for 55. Lehmann provided Banks with his maiden ODI wicket. When Symonds (18) was dismissed by Banks, the score was 183/5 and looked to be ready to restrict the Australians to 250 or thereabout.

However, a brilliant unbroken 87-run partnership between Harvey (48*) and the reliable Bevan (43*) saw that the visitors ended on a commendable 270/5 in their allotted overs. Harvey's runs came off just 30 balls and he hit 7 fours.

The West Indian reply started with a surprising tactic of opening the batting with Ricardo Powell. The ploy succeed to the 15 over when both he and Gayle were dismissed for 37 each- 75/2. Lara and Smith managed to take the innings to the 23.2 over comfortably and were then greeted by rain. An 81 minute delay and Mr.'s Duckworth and Lewis ensured that the West Indies would need 208 runs from 37 overs.

Immediately after the interval, Ian Harvey accounted for the better part of a clutter of four quick wickets. The trio of Lara (23), Smith (26), Samuels (2) represented his 3 wickets for 38 runs. Banks was the fourth out in the slide of 4/37 which left the score precariously at 161/6. Still needed were 47 runs in 5 overs. Baugh (7) and Drakes (1) came and went and when the last ball came about, Sarwan seemed the only factor against an 18th consecutive Aussie win, with 16 runs needed.

With a 7 runs off the first 4 balls, including a Sarwan boundary, there seemed life left in the chase- Dillon on strike. Lee bowled to Dillon and he proceeded to sky the ball up into the air and down to where Hogg proceeded to drop the seemingly simple catch. Whilst Hogg was contemplating his fate, there seemed enough time to gather 3 runs, reduce the requirement to 6 runs and the get the vice-captain Sarwan on strike. Alas, it would not be as Dillon trotted back for the second, the match all but gone. An inconsequential boundary capped a brave run chase fallen short by 2 runs. Lee picked up 2/42. Sarwan ended unperturbed and unbeaten on a valiant 47 off 34 balls.

Another shocker as Ponting beat Harvey out for the Man of the Match Award, despite the latter's 48 and 3/38. The second ODI commences tomorrow at 10:00 am local time at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

Game summary:

Australia innings (50 Overs) - 270/5
(R.Ponting 59, D.Lehmann 55; O.Banks 2/44, M.Dillon 2.53)

West Indies innings (revised target of 208 off 37 overs) (37 Overs) - 205/8
(R.Sarwan 47*, C.Gayle 37, R.Powell 37; I.Harvey 3/38, B.Lee 2/52)

Result: Australia won by 2 runs
Man of the Match: R.Ponting

Posted by Liam