Hinds puts WI in front

ST. GEORGE’S:  Left-hander Wavell Hinds smashed a magnificent, unbeaten 125 yesterday as the West Indies posted their second straight victory over Australia in the sixth one-day cricket international. The forthright Jamaican launched six sixes and five fours in his second one-day century to power the home team to their target of 254 for seven with eight balls to spare. Hinds’ third wicket stand of 114 with Ramnaresh Sarwan (50) laid the foundations of the pursuit. Pace ace Brett Lee, with three for 50 off 9.4 overs, spearheaded the Aussie effort at both ends of the West Indies innings. Australia earlier was bowled out for 252 off 50 overs. Adam Gilchrist topscored with 64 but the West Indies slow bowlers shared six wickets to stall the visitors’ progress.

Chris Gayle led the way with three for 37 off 10 overs. Fellow off-spinner Marlon Samuels took two for 39 off 10 overs, while Ramna-resh Sarwan claimed the wicket of in-form Andrew Symonds. Australia still hold an unassailable 4-2 lead in the seven-match series. The loss was the first time Australia had lost two in a row since Pakistan beat them twice last June at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium. Australia claimed the crucial wickets of Chris Gayle and captain Brian Lara as the West Indies’ chase slipped to 67 for two after 16 overs. Gayle fended Lee’s nasty lifter to wicket-keeper Gilchrist, while Lara chipped a return catch off Symonds’ off-spin. But “Man of the Match” Hinds and Sarwan reconstructed the effort with their partnership. Hinds was lucky to pass his half century, off 69 balls,  with his second six as Lee parried a head high catch at long-on off Brad Hogg at 102 for two. Hinds and Sarwan continued to flourish before Lee struck twice in the first over of his second spell to renew Aussie hope at 181 for four in the 40th over.

Sarwan slapped Lee’s first ball on return low to extra cover, while Marlon Samuels fell for a duck to a fast yorker. Sarwan counted three boundaries in his enterprising 50 off  69 balls. The locals slumped to 193 for five when part-timer Darren Lehmann pouched a return catch to remove the dangerous Ricardo Powell (1). But Hinds took over the leading role and gained levelheaded support from wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs (8) and David Bernard (7). Jacobs and Hinds put on 20, but it was the frantic 31 off  19 balls between Hinds and Bernard that sealed the deal. Bichel claimed Jacobs to a spiraling catch at fine leg and Bernard was leg before to Gillespie. But Hinds was fittingly there at the end, smashing Lee for  four before a full toss eluded Gilchrist for four byes to end the match.