ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (Reuters) - Opener Wavell Hinds scored a career-best 125 not out to guide West Indies to a three-wicket win over world champions Australia in their One-day international match yesterday.
West Indies, chasing Australia’s 252 all out, won in 48.4 overs to reduce their deficit in the seven-match series to 4-2 with one game to play.
``Wavell played a fantastic innings but we never really nailed any partnerships,’’ said Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
Hinds put on a 114-run third-wicket stand with Ramnaresh Sarwan (50) after Brian Lara had fallen cheaply only for Australia’s quicks to hit back and put the home side under pressure again.
Brett Lee returned to the attack in the 40th over, Sarwan driving his first delivery to the covers where Andrew Symonds took a low diving catch to make it 181 for three.
Two balls later, Lee clean-bowled Marlon Samuels for a duck and Ricardo Powell then scored a single before getting his legs in a tangle and chipping back a return catch to Darren Lehmann.
It was 213 for six when Ridley Jacobs fell to Andy Bichel but Hinds, who hit six sixes and five fours in only his second One-day International century in 74 matches, coolly steered the home team to victory.
It was Australia’s second defeat in a row.
Lee was the pick of their bowlers although he lost his accuracy at the death, his three wickets costing 50 runs.
Australia, who won the toss, were left rueing their missed chances after Adam Gilchrist, with a run-a-ball 64, and Matthew Hayden had hammered 90 in the first 15 overs.
The home spinners bowlers, however, taking the pace off the ball on a slow pitch, then rooted out the middle order.
Chris Gayle took three for 37 before Australia were dismissed off the last ball as Nathan Hauritz was run out by a throw from the deep.
Things could have been even worse but Lee and Bichel (41) put on 50 for the eighth wicket.
It was the first time in the series that Australia had been bowled out.