Pollard blazing century powers West Indies to a 2-1 series lead

Tags: West Indies Vs Australia 4th ODI at St Lucia - Mar 23, 2012, India in West Indies - 2009, Australia tour of West Indies - 2012, Brett Lee, Kieron Adrian Pollard, Sunil Philip Narine, David John Hussey

Published on: Mar 23, 2012

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West Indies defeated Australia by 42 runs in the 4th ODI at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.

David Hussey, Brett Lee half centuries go in vain for visitors

West Indies have taken the crucial series lead of 2-1 with one more match to go in the Digicel ODI Series against Australia. The hosts defeated the Aussies by 42 runs in the 4th ODI at Gros Islet in St Lucia. Australia chasing 295 were bowled out for 252 in 46.3 overs. Brett Lee scored a valiant 59 from 48 balls (with 5 fours and 5 sixes) before being the last man out for the visitors.

Australia were reduced to 62 for 3 in 10.1 overs and the West Indies seemed to be in tremendous control of the match once the dangerous Shane Watson (28 from 24 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes) miscued a pull shot off Darren Sammy to mid on. Off spinner Sunil Narine strangled the Aussies with his sharp turning deliveries and the run scoring came to a huge halt. The hosts went onto reduce the Australians further to 112 for 5 in the 21st over to smell victory.

The homeside was made to wait for sometime because of a terrific partnership of 67 runs for the 6th wicket between David Hussey (57 from 54 balls with 7 fours) and Matthew Wade (15). However, both the batsmen got dismissed at the wrong time to diminish any chances of an Australian victory at 196 for 7 in the 39th over. Kemar Roach who cleaned up the off stump of David Hussey fired an accidental beamer which hit the hand of Brett Lee painfully. That blow fired up Lee as he took his revenge against the same bowler hitting him for as many as 24 runs in an over!

The Aussies were fighting back thanks to Brett Lee’s clean strikes with the willow but the no.7 was losing partners at the other end. Lee eventually got dismissed in the 47th over caught at long off but not before a stunning 59 from just 48 balls which contained 5 fours and 5 sixes. Australia got bowled out for 252 to lose the match by 42 runs.

It was tremendous bowling from Sunil Narine as he gave away only 21 runs in his 10 overs besides taking a crucial wicket towards the end. Darren Sammy and Andre Russell bowled superbly taking two wickets each. Russell was simply impressive as he troubled the Australian batsmen with his pace and bounce. Unfortunately, Russell showed signs of damaging his knee though which might keep him out of action! The Man of the Match award went to Kieron Pollard for his brilliant century.

Pollard blazing ton fires West Indies to 294 for 7

Kieron PollardWest Indies finished at a tall score of 294 for 7 thanks to a blazing century from Kieron Pollard. The 24-year-old Kieron Pollard smashed 5 fours and 8 sixes to score 102 from just 70 balls to not only rescue West Indies from an otherwise sorry state but also to put them on top in the Fourth ODI with a solid total.

The hosts had a bright start of 56 in 10.1 overs with Adrian Barath looking good for his 41 (from 31 balls with 9 fours). However, once Barath departed, the scoring rate came down drastically and the Aussies managed to peg back the Windies to 106 for 4 in the 26th over. By the 36th over, West Indies got to 146 for 5 before Pollard got excellent support from Andre Russell (34 from 32 balls with 4 fours) to put up 94 runs for the 6th wicket.

Pollard reached his 2nd ODI Century by pulling Brett Lee for a six in the final over of the innings. West Indies were also helped by a superb cameo of 31* (from 13 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes) by Skipper Darren Sammy.

Pollard reached his 2nd ODI Century by pulling Brett Lee for a six in the final over of the innings. West Indies were also helped by a superb cameo of 31* (from 13 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes) by Skipper Darren Sammy.

Toss and Teams

Australia have won the toss and invited West Indies to bat first in the 4th ODI at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia. The 5-ODI Digicel Series is locked at 1-1 with the last match at St Vincent ending in a dramatic tie.

West Indies have made one change with Adrian Barath replacing Kieran Powell. Australia have brought in Peter Forrest and Ben Hilfenhaus for Daniel Christian and Ben Hilfenhaus.

West Indies: J Charles, DM Bravo, MN Samuels, DJ Bravo, KA Pollard, AD Russell, CS Baugh (Wicket Keeper), DJG Sammy (Captain), SP Narine, KAJ Roach, AB Barath

Australia: DA Warner, MS Wade (Wicket Keeper), SR Watson (Captain), MEK Hussey, DJ Hussey, PJ Forrest, GJ Bailey, CJ McKay, XJ Doherty, B Lee, BW Hilfenhaus

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