Lara wants to keep momentum

ST GEORGE’S: Brian Lara and his opposite number Ricky Ponting praised opening batsman, Wavell Hinds, who batted through the innings with an unbeaten century that powered the West Indies to a three-wicket win over Australia in the sixth Cable and Wireless One-Day International (ODI) at Grenada’s National Stadium.

After Australia scored 252 all out, Hinds belted a fiery but well measured 126 not out that propelled the West Indies to 254 for seven with eight balls to spare and a second consecutive win over the Australians, who hold a winning 4-2 lead in the series. “All credit must go to Wavell, he kept the innings together,” Lara said. Hinds, who had scored an attacking 79 in last Sunday’s win that snapped the Australians’ 21-match winning streak, shared in a 114-run third-wicket stand with Ramnaresh Sarwan (50). Ponting was also quick to praise the 26-year-old Hinds. “Wavell played one of the best innings he’s probably played in international cricket,” Ponting said. “And that was the difference between the two sides. Wavell played beautifully and really controlled things pretty well,” Ponting said. Lara insisted — in the face of a series defeat — that his side must continue to play with diligence and go for another win in the final match today as they prepare for their series of three ODIs and two Tests against the touring Sri Lankans. “We have one more on Sunday. It will be an important match for us. “We have a lot of cricket left to play. We have Sri Lanka who are arriving early next week and I think a good performance on Sunday will really keep the momentum going,” Lara added. The double world record holder, in his second stint as West Indies captain, is also aware that the public will be anticipating a continued rise in their performance.