West Indies, Australia level ODI series 2-2

Last Sunday, Australia fought back to level the One Day International series against West Indies 2-2, after the regional side had taken match four last Friday, also at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.{{more}}

In Sunday’s decisive match, Australia, sent in to bat, posted a challenging 281 for 9. David Warner cracked 69, Shane Watson compiled 66 and Peter Forrest contributed 53.

Andre Russell led the West Indies bowling attack taking 4 for 61; Kemar Roach claimed 3 for 53 and Sunil Narine 2 for 55.

The West Indies, in reply, got to 251 all out in 47. 2 overs, to lose by 30 runs.

The final score represents a remarkable recovery by the regional side, which was at one point 118 for 7, thanks to an eighth wicket partnership of 101 between Captain Darren Sammy and Andre Russell.

Sammy plundered 84 off 50 balls, laced with six fours and six sixes and Russell 41 dotted with six fours.

Opener Adrian Barath posted 42 and eventual Man of the Series Kieron Pollard 33; but that was not enough as West Indies failed in their attempt to break a 17-year drought of beating the Aussies in ODI’s. Brett Lee grabbed 3 for 42, Shane Watson 2 for 44, Xavier Doherty 2 for 60, and Clint McKay 2 for 68.

West Indies had taken a 2-1 series lead in the fourth match on Friday.

Kieron Pollard belted a 70-ball 102 that featured eight sixes and five fours, as Australia crumbled, conceding 117 runs, as the hosts made 294 for 7.

Scaffolding Pollard’s innings and the West Indies in the formidable total, Adrian Barath, at the top of the order, struck 41, Johnson Charles 37, Andre Russell 34 and Darren Sammy belted 31 not out in 13 balls.

Shane Watson 2 for 55, Xavier Doherty 2 for 64 and Brett Lee 2 for 55, shared the wickets for Australia.

Despite a career-best 59 by Brett Lee and 57 by David Hussey, Australia was always struggling in the chase and was dismissed for 252, to lose by 42 runs.

Australia won the first match in the series last week Friday here at the Arnos Vale Playing Field by 64 runs, but the West Indies clawed back to win the second by five wickets via the Duckworth/Lewis Method.

The two teams shift gears to the frenetic T/20 two-match series starting today from 2:00 pm, also at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia and heads to Barbados this Friday for the second at the Kensington Oval. (RT)