Lara shines but WI falter

Nevermind the brilliance of Brian Lara, the West Indies were never in contention as they crumbled to defeat by 103 runs at the hands of Australia. In the face of a monstrous total of 322-6, scored by Australia yesterday, the West Indies were bowled out for 219.

Lara started slowly at 22-3, but gradually progressed to full flow and struck 77 off 84 balls before perishing to the spin of Brad Hogg. With the game all but lost before the event, the fate of the West Indies was sealed with that decisive blow. Denesh Ramdin was lively for his second one-day international half-century, but could not adequately address the required run rate as it spiraled upward.

Yesterday the West Indies toiled in the field against the Matthew Hayden’s brilliance, then the weather prevented them from a turn with the bat. The rains stayed away this morning and allowed play to start as scheduled. And despite the time to recover from the debacle with the ball, it was not a fluent West Indies unit that began the day. Pacy and aggressive, Shaun Tait started well and removed the in-form Shivnarine Chanderpaul for a cheap 5. It was a full length delivery that did the job, and though replays suggested it may have missed offstump, it looked a fair decision at the time.

Even given his poor form in the World Cup to date, Chris Gayle never looked as impotent as he did over the course of his 23-ball innings today. Not quite the powerful strokeplay anticipated and required, the left-hander contributed only 2 runs before a miscued slog accounted for his downfall. But his was not the worst demise on display, amidst the unraveling of the West Indies lineup. The less said about Samuels dismissal, certainly the better. Too often a frustrating talent, simmering and then settling, he charged at McGrath and ended up skying a simple catch to Symonds at cover. Madness at the seams. Ramnaresh Sarwan stuck admirably to the theme of the day and lacked fluency in a frustrating innings of 29. He put himself out of misery by lashing a full toss to midwicket. Dwayne Bravo collected a pleasant boundary in his 9, then he too cut in on the complacency. His was a loose drive into the lap of Ponting at cover, and the Australian captain was expectedly elated.

It was clear that the task at hand would be too much, even for a genius of the calibre of Brian Lara. Instead he settled down and attempted to play another memorable World Cup innings, though painfully and inevitably in vain. For a time, while Lara was batting with Ramdin, it seemed the West Indies would pose some sort of challenge with the bat, if not in terms of chasing the target. Their partnership of 49 came in the space of 7 overs, and both realized the urgency and desperation of the situation, playing to suit. But Lara was undone by a sharp adjustment from Hogg, charging down the track and meeting his fate – leg before wicket. To his credit, and even as Smith followed for a six-and-out 9, Ramdin continued to play positively.

The young wicketkeeper never revealed the situation as a lost cause. His preferred manner saw him advance unperturbed and dispatch anything loose, mixing in energetic running between the wickets. His was an outstanding 52, and came from 42 balls with 6 fours.

With the comfortable victory, Australia are very well placed to move into the World Cup semifinal round, having started the Super Eight stage with the 2 points they won off South Africa. The West Indies face New Zealand tomorrow, and will feel that victory is necessary to keep hopes of advancement alive.

Australia 322-6
Matthew Hayden 158, Michael Clarke 41
Daren Powell 2-53, Dwayne Bravo 2-49

West Indies 219 all out
Brian Lara 77, Denesh Ramdin 52
Glenn McGrath 3-31, Brad Hogg 3-56

Australia won by 103 runs.

Man of the Match: Matthew Hayden