Aussie nine-in-a-row over WI

KINGSTON: Captain Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden hit assured half centuries yesterday to follow up an impressive Australian bowling performance as the cricket team cruised to an eight-wicket win over the West Indies in the second One-Day International.

Ponting (57 not out) and opener Hayden (51) made sure there would be no hiccups after the Aussie bowlers routed West Indies for 163. Australia won with 14.5 overs to spare in racing to 166 for two off 35.1 overs. Ponting lashed five fours and a six off 71 balls in notching his second straight half century. Hayden counted four fours and a six off 87 deliveries. The visitors took a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series and extended their record streak to 19 wins in a row. It was Australia’s ninth consecutive victory over the West Indies in the 100th one-day match between the teams. Australia’s bowlers sliced through the West Indies top order after Brian Lara chose to bat first after winning his second straight toss.

Glenn McGrath claimed four for 31, but Andy Bichel (two for 27) earned the key wickets of Chris Gayle and Lara. Fellow fast bowler Brett Lee took two for 22, while hard-hitter Ricardo Powell top-scored with 32 off 42 deliveries with six fours. Lee made the early breakthrough with the wicket of Devon Smith (1) in his first over at four for one and the home team never recovered. Smith miscued a pull for a return catch. McGrath reduced the West Indies to 21 for two when Marlon Samuels (6) top-edged a hook through to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist. Bichel took over from McGrath and gained immediate success with Lara’s crucial wicket in his third delivery. Lara under-edged a slash to provide Gilchrist with the second of his four catches.

Gayle launched a few authentic strokes and hit four boundaries in 28 off 55 balls before Bichel removed him in his next over. The left-hander was also caught behind as he edged his drive. Jason Gillespie joined his pace mates in the wicket-taking when he got rid of the dangerous Ramnaresh Sarwan for 14 at 75 for five. Sarwan edged to first slip, where Matthew Hayden pouched a fine, low catch. Powell and Omari Banks added 28 for the sixth wicket to stall the rampant Aussies, but left-arm spinner Brad Hogg ended the stand. The 24-year-old Powell batted with calm assurance before pulling a catch to long on, where McGrath hauled in a comfortable catch. Banks and Carlton Baugh, both in only their second match, made sure the score reached some respectability in a further partnership of 54 for the seventh wicket. But the pair never managed to lift the tempo.

Banks made 29 off 76 balls with two fours before Lee’s bouncer on return ended his innings by way of another Gilchrist catch off a top-edged pull.
Baugh’s 29 was more enterprising, spanning 54 balls and spiced with one four and the only six of the innings. But McGrath plucked out his middle stump before also removing Vasbert Drakes (1) and Corey Collymore (0) in the same over. Once Hayden and fellow left-hander Adam Gilchrist (27) gave Australia a rousing start of 50 in 11.3 overs, the home team were never in the hunt. Corey Collymore had Gilchrist caught at deep square leg, but Ponting and Hayden added a further 70 for the second wicket. Hayden fell just after passing fifty, holing out to long on off Omari Banks. Andrew Symonds (17 not out) blasted his only boundary for the winning runs. The third match in the series is on Wednesday in St Lucia.