Sport
Finally the West Indies end five-year drought vs Australia
West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo, right, and Kieron Pollard run between the wickets during the second one day international cricket match against Australia. PHOTO/Andres Leighton/AP
(CMC) – The West Indies broke a five-year winless drought against Australia, when they held their nerves to seal the second one-day international in a tense finish at Arnos Vale yesterday.
Set a modest 158 for victory after rain had earlier reduced the game to 40 overs per side, the Windies recovered from losing opener Kieran Powell to the first ball of the innings, to reach their target with 10 balls to spare and snatch a five-wicket victory under the Duckworth/Lewis Method.
The win was engineered by the enigmatic Kieron Pollard, who blasted four sixes in an unbeaten 47 from 61 balls.
His 64-run, fifth wicket stand with fellow Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo proved invaluable, after the West Indies had lost two quick wickets for seven runs to slump to 74 for four in the 19th over.
Bravo scored 30 from 49 balls, but even after he was run out with victory in sight, there was no customary collapse as Carlton Baugh entered to lash two fours and a six in an unbeaten 18 off 17 balls, to see the Windies home.
In fact, it was the diminutive Jamaican who sealed the victory, launching left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty over the ropes at deep midwicket, to send the capacity crowd into frenzied celebration.
The victory, the Windies’ first over Australia since the 2006 Champions Trophy, drew them level in the five-match series following their disappointing 64-run loss in the first ODI on Friday.
