Hinds Heroics Hand WI Win

Wavell Hinds has repaid the West Indian selectors faith in his undoubted ability, steering the West Indies to victory with a match-winning hundred.

Ricky Ponting won the toss for Australia and elected to bat in the first match of the double-header in Grenada.

The decision seemed to pay dividends as Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist added 90 for the first wicket in 14.2 overs.

Hayden was fist to head back to the pavilion, being caught by Wavell Hinds of Corey Collymore for 29 from 37 balls.

Captain Ponting made just 2 before he was well run out by the combination of Brian Lara and bowler Marlon Samuels.

Very next ball, Adam Gilchrist's 66-ball effort of 64 came to an end when he was caught by Lara off Samuels, giving the combination their second victim.

Ramnaresh Sarwan then gained his second ODI victim when he had Andy Symonds caught by Lara for 16.

This was a rare failure for Symonds, who has shown extreme maturity and form since the start of the World Cup and is now one of the sides most consistent batsmen.

Off-spinner Chris Gayle snared 3 lower order victims in Darren Lehmann (43), Jimmy Maher (19) and Andy Bichel following an entertaining 41.

Brad Hogg's miserable form continued when he was dismissed for a duck, and when Brett Lee holed out to Ricardo Powell on the point victory, Australia had collapsed to 9/250.

A direct hit run out ended the innings, with Dave Bernard finally hitting the timber to dismiss Nathan Hauritz for the first time in his ODI career.

For the West Indies, Chirs Gayle finished with 3/37 and Marlon Samuels 2/39. Corey Collymore took 2/46 and Ramnaresh Sarwan picked up a wicket.

The West Indies lost Chris Gayle early on for 18 when he edged Brett Lee into the safe hands of Adam Gilchrist to have the home side at 1/23.

Brian Lara made just 15 before part-timer Andrew Symonds gained the prized scalp of the Prince, caught and bowled.

Ramnaersh Sarwan ten joined Hinds at the crease and made another diminitive half-century. Upon his dismissed on 181, the match looked delicately poised and could have easily gone either way.

When the middle-order of Marlon Samuels (0), Ricardo Powell (1), Ridley Jacobs (8) and Dave Bernard with 7 all failing miserably, the West Indies required 10 runs with 3 wickets in hand.

Vasbert Drakes was good enough to support Hinds to victory, finishing unbeaten on 0.

Hinds is sure to become an overnight hero in the Caribbean following his innings of style and substance.

His unbeaten 125 from 140 balls mastered the pace of Lee, Gillespie and Bichel as well as the turn of Hogg and Hauritz in wha5t may prove to be the defining moment of his career.

For Australia, Brett Lee was the pick, taking 3/50. Jason Gillespie, Andy Bichel, Andy Symonds and Darren Lehmann all took 1 wicket each as the West Indians gained victory by 3 wickets.

Scores:

Australia 252(A Gilchrist 64, D Lehmann 43, A Bichel 41, C Gayle 3/37)

West Indies 7/254 (W Hinds 125*, R Sarwan 50, B Lee 3/50)

West Indies won by 3 wickets.

Cricket Web Player-of-the-Match: Wavell Hinds.

Australia lead the 7 match series 4-2.

Posted by Andre