Aussies thrashed in Grenada

Australia were simply blown away in the final match of their best of seven series, with Wavell Hinds scoring his second unbeaten hundred for the series. With the series already won 4-2, an exhausted Aussie side went down miserably in the end, losing their third consecutive one day match, by 9 wickets, after a record 21 in a row was broken.

Australia won the toss, batted, and uncharacteristically starting off slowly and hesitantly. West Indian skipper Brian Lara adopted an interesting method, with part-time off spinner Marlon Samuels sharing the new ball with Merv Dillon, which was used to great effect. Adam Gilchrist looked very weary at the crease, as did Matthew Hayden, with the pair losing their wickets early. Dillon captured Hayden, via a catch to David Bernard on the mid-wicket boudary, for 8 and Gilchrist succumbed to the spin of Samuels, and was bowled off the inside edge for a frustrating 5 off 26 balls.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was forced to retire hurt, when he was hit on the hip by a spearing delivery from Dillon for 2, and if it wasn't for a valid contribution from Darren Lehmann, Australia would have struggled to post three figures.

Andrew Symonds continued his good form with the bat, caressing an innings of 48, combining with Lehmann, who posted a well deserved 107. Chris Gayle produced some stunning bowling figures, finishing off with 5-46 off 10 overs from his casual off spin. As the cheap wickets of Michael Clarke, Ian Harvey were disposed of, Brad Hogg came to the party, with a solid 53, to avoid embarrassment to his team. Australia recovered well in the end to post 8-247, thanks to the Lehmann century, when a score of 150 looked a challenge.

With Ricky Ponting unable to take the field, Australia was lifeless and non-motivated. Hinds and Gayle flayed an exhausted attack, together recording a century opening partnership. Jason Gillespie was the criminal when he dropped the simplest of chances at long-off when Hinds was on 76, but apart from that minor hiccup, Hinds was devastating.

Brian Lara didn't have the most memorable series, but he certainly finished it off in style, smashing Darren Lehmann for 3 consecutive sixes to win the match. Gayle was the only blemish of an otherwise ruthless display, who fell for 60 to Symonds. Hinds deservedly was named man-of-the-series, for his twin unbeaten hundreds, but Gayle was named man-of-the-match, thanks to his steady spin bowling and clean hit batting.

Australia will now look forward to some much needed rest leading up to their winter series against Bangladesh, but leave the West Indies with sweet and sour memories.

Result: West Indies won by 9 wickets

Series: Australia won 4-3

AUSTRALIA
8-247 (50)
D. Lehmann 107 (109), B. Hogg 53 (58), A. Symonds 48 (70); C. Gayle 5-46 (10)

WEST INDIES
1-249 (43.3)
W. Hinds 103* (130), B. Lara 75* (65), C. Gayle 60 (68); A. Symonds 1-36 (5)

Man of the Match: Chris Gayle

Man of the Series: Wavell Hinds

Posted by Dominic