Aussies carve frantic victory

KINGSTON: World Cup cricket champions Australia carved out their 18th consecutive victory yesterday with a frantic, two-run win over the West Indies in the rain-affected opening One-Day International at Jamaica’s Sabina Park. The West Indies, set a revised target of 208 to win off 37 overs, fell short at 205 for eight. Vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan led the home team’s charge with 47 not out off 34 deliveries. But it was not enough, as all-rounder Ian Harvey grabbed three crucial wickets after a rain delay. The move followed his unbeaten 48 off 30 balls that earlier powered Australia’s total to 270 for five off 50 overs.

The “Man of the Match” award, however, went to Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting, who hit an impressive 59 off 66 balls with seven fours. The West Indies, well set at 114 for two off 23.2 overs when steady rain forced an interruption, lost rapid wickets when they resumed needing a further 94 runs off 13.4 overs. Harvey (three for 37) removed Devon Smith (26), captain Brian Lara (23) and Marlon Samuels (2) in an important spell. Sarwan kept a packed home crowd of 14,000 interested with a few meaty strokes, but it proved too much for the 22-year-old. He reached the last over with 16 needed and collected seven off the first three balls, but lost the strike to tailender Mervyn Dillon, who could not provide the firepower to conjure a spectacular win.

The West Indies’ early effort was launched by openers Chris Gayle and Ricardo Powell, who both scored 37. The pair added 75 off 14 overs with a volley of powerful strokes before pacer Brett Lee accounted for both Jamaicans off successive balls. Gayle lashed six fours off 50 balls before he skied a catch to extra cover. Powell, with five fours and a customary six off 37 deliveries, fell with the next ball. He miscued a pull behind for an easy catch to the wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist. Smith and Lara added 49 either side of the rain break, but the collapse came swiftly after the restart. Both edged Harvey to Gilchrist and Samuels sliced to backward point.

Omari Banks contributed 12 off 14 balls with one massive six, but Matthew Hayden’s diving save and return ran him out. Sarwan was left with the lower order and a climbing required run rate. Carlton Baugh (7) and Vasbert Drakes (1) were castled trying to up the tempo, and Sarwan just failed to provide a miracle finish for the sellout crowd. Harvey and Michael Bevan had earlier set up Australia’s total with a sixth wicket stand of 87 in the last 10.2 overs. Left-hander Bevan contributed a busy, unbeaten 43 off 44 deliveries. Ponting, who passed 6,000 One-Day International runs, and Darren Lehmann (55) laid the earlier platform with a partnership of 86 for the third wicket. Dillon (two for 53) and Banks (two for 44) claimed the best figures for the home team. The second one-dayer in the seven-match is at the same venue here today.