Published: Feb 08, 2013, 04:27 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 08, 2013, 04:27 PM (IST)
Shane Watson starred with the bat for Australia with an 84-ball 76 against West Indies on Friday © Getty Images
Sydney: Feb 8, 2013
Australia continued their domination over West Indies as they registered a five-wicket win in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) at Sydney on Friday to lead the five-match series 4-0.
All-rounder Shane Watson led Australia’s chase with an 84-ball 76. His knock included nine boundaries. On the way, he added valuable partnerships with Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes and Michael Clarke.
Finch, Hughes and Adam Voges got starts, but couldn’t go on to put a big score. For West indies, Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers picking up two wickets for only 34 runs in his 10 overs.
Earlier, a gritty knock from the big-hitting middle-order batsman Kieron Pollard helped the visitors reach 220.
Pollard was unbeaten on 109 off 136 deliveries, an innings laced with 11 fours and 2 sixes.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Darren Sammy’s men were in tatters as they lost five wickets with just 45 runs on the board in the 18th over.
Left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson ran through the top-order to dismiss Kieran Powell, Johnson Charles and Dwayne Bravo in no time.
Ben Cutting, who was brought into the Australian side for this game, matched Johnson’s efforts and dismantled the middle-order to finish with figures of three for 45 with the scalps of Narsingh Deonarine, Devon Thomas and Sammy.
Kieron Pollard, known more for his ability to score runs at a fast pace played a patient knock to resurrect the West Indian innings.
He put on two crucial partnerships – first, 35 runs with Andre Russell for the eighth wicket and followed it up with fast-paced partnership of 64 runs off just 46 deliveries with Sunil Narine for the ninth wicket.
Tino Best, the number eleven batsman was finally dismissed in the last over as the visitors were bowled out for 220.
Brief Score: West Indies 220 in 49.4 overs (Kieron Pollard 109*, Darren Sammy 25; Mitchell Johnson 3 for 36, Ben Cutting 3 for 45) lost to Australia 224 for 5 in 44.5 overs (Shane Watson 76, Michael Clarke 37; Sunil Narine 2 for 34, Tino Best 2 for 37) by 5 wickets
