Australia coast to 25-run win

Australia coast to 25-run win

Stabroek News
May 22, 2003

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, (Reuters) - Australia coasted to a 25-run win over West Indies in the third one-day international yesterday to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

West Indies scored 233 for nine from 50 overs in reply to Australia's innings total of 258-4. It was the world champions' 20th consecutive victory in one-day internationals.

Nathan Hauritz broke the backbone of the West Indies upper order by dismissing Ramnaresh Sarwan (15) and Chris Gayle (43) in quick succession.

It was a welcome return for the man who has remained on the sidelines of the Australia team since taking four wickets against Kenya in September 2002.

West Indies' collapse was more a story of rash shot selection than a particularly impressive bowling performance on the part of the visitors. The home team lost three early wickets as their openers threw caution to the wind in their haste to make runs.

Devon Smith (9) was caught behind off Glenn McGrath to put West Indies on 20 for one before Chris Gayle delighted the crowd with five fours and one six over the midwicket boundary.

Sarwan tried to follow suit but lofted a harmless-looking Hauritz delivery to deep extra cover and was caught by Jason Gillespie.

NO SURPRISE

Gayle barely played a stroke that was not a boundary attempt and it was no surprise when he was caught in the covers by Michael Clarke off another unspectacular Hauritz delivery.

Fast bowler Andy Bichel removed Brian Lara (4) for the ninth time since the Australians arrived in the Caribbean in April as West Indies' captain dragged an excellent delivery on to his stumps.

Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels provided a rare note of sobriety with a 65-run fifth-wicket stand.

Hinds (42) lost his wicket when he ignored the call of striker Samuels and gifted Michael Bevan the run out.

Ricardo Powell arrived at the crease and hit 26 runs off 11 balls, including two mighty sixes, before firing a Gillespie delivery for Clarke to take a difficult low catch.

Samuels was infected by the prevailing schoolboy spirit and fell to the same Gillespie-Clarke combination from the very next ball for 37.

Cameron Baugh struck a gutsy 24 not out, including a six over the covers in the 47th over, but the target drifted out of sight.

Andrew Symonds and Clarke had earlier hit 75 runs each to help Australia to an innings total of 258 for four.

They forged a resilient 99-run fourth-wicket partnership to stabilise an innings that was starting to look vulnerable at 79 for three after Lara had put the tourists in to bat.