Hayden ensures whitewash

It was unlikely that a target of 182 on a sedate wicket would cause Australia many problems, and so it proved as the home team cruised to a 7th consecutive international win since the Ashes, and a series whitewash.

Australia began proceedings for the final day at 2/76, having lost a pair of late wickets to Corey Collymore on the fourth evening. The West Indies appeared energetic and hopeful, but with Dwayne Bravo unable to bowl due to injury and the pitch still playing well for the batsmen, any result other than a comfortable Australia win was always unlikely.

The central force in Australia’s chase was Matthew Hayden, who crafted a flawless innings of 87 not out, to cap off an amazing series, and come close to a fifth century in as many tests. The only casualty on the final day came before lunch when Brad Hodge drove in the air behind point and was well caught. When lunch came, the one remaining interest was in whether or not Hayden would get a chance at a century, but Michael Hussey ended that by scoring after the break without reservation and ensuring that Hayden would not have enough runs to work with.

The West Indies made Australia work for the runs, as they had made them work all test, but the gap in class was too great in the end. The 3-0 series win marks another whitewash for the prolific Australian team – their 12th such series result since the 1999/2000 home season.

Brian Lara gave a touching farewell to the Adelaide public in a speech at the presentation ceremony, and praised Allan Border, whose run scoring record he eclipsed just days ago, for his tenacity as a batsman and his influence on Lara’s own style. Lara recieved the man of the match award for his first innings double century, and Hayden the man of the series award for over 400 runs in three tests.

West Indies 405
Brian Lara 226, Dwayne Bravo 34
Glenn McGrath 3/106, Brett Lee 3/111

Australia 428
Michael Hussey 133, Justin Langer 99
Dwayne Bravo 6/84, Fidel Edwards 3/114

West Indies 204
Dwayne Bravo 64, Ramnaresh Sarwan 62
Shane Warne 6/80, Brett Lee 4/46

Australia 3/182
Matthew Hayden 87*, Michael Hussey 30*
Corey Collymore 2/51, Daren Powell 1/40

Australia win by 7 wickets.
Australia win the 3 test series 3-0.

CricketWeb Player of the Match
Brian Lara – 226 & 17

CricketWeb Player of the Series
Matthew Hayden – 445 runs @ 89.00, 5 catches.