The Third Digicel ODI at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent between hosts West Indies and Australia ended in a dramatic tie to leave the 5-match series leveled at 1-1.
West Indies fightback from losing position but end up with a tie
The hosts asked to chase a target of 221 to win, needed 7 runs to win from the final over to be bowled by Brett Lee with just the one wicket in hand. Skipper Darren Sammy struck a superb boundary in the third ball of the over to reduce the equation to just the one run from 3 balls. However, a mix up between Darren Sammy and Kemar Roach whether to take a run or not from point cost the match with both the batsmen stranded mid pitch to result in an easy run out! It was a nerve-wrecking finish with the match ending in a tie much to the relief of the Aussies.
West Indies chasing 221 were decently placed at 52 for 1 in the 14th over before slipping to an unexpected 78 for 5 by the 21st over! Just when the match seemed to be in Australia’s pocket, the second half of the West Indian batsmen held their nerve to contribute meaningfully towards the target. Kieron Pollard chipped in with 36 (from 43 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes), Carlton Baugh with a slow 33 (from 69 balls with 3 fours) and Andre Russell with 37 (from 42 balls with 3 fours and a six) to bring the hosts back in the game and thus taking the game to the wire.
For the Aussies, Skipper Shane Watson bowled beautifully for figures of 10-4-30-3. Xavier Doherty also bowled well to come up with 2 for 30 in 10 overs.
George Bailey and Michael Hussey steer Australia to 220
Early on, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first but only to find themselves crawling at 58 for 3 in the 15th over. Steady half centuries from George Bailey (59 from 87 balls with a four and a six) and Man of the Match Michael Hussey (67 from 95 balls with 4 fours and a six) rescued the Aussies and launched them towards a modest total of 220 all out in 49.5 overs. Off spinners Sunil Narine (9.5-1-32-3) and Marlon Samuels (9-0-39-2) strangled the Aussies with their tight bowling.
