Australia v West Indies, 2012-13
Wisden's review of the third ODI, Australia vs West Indies, 2012-13
15-Apr-2014
At Canberra, February 6, 2013 (day/night). Australia won by 39 runs. Toss: Australia.
The returning Watson could not have hoped for a better start to life as a specialist batsman. Having decided to shelve his bowling temporarily after breaking down with a calf injury in the Boxing Day Test, he reaped instant dividend with his first one-day international century for almost two years, finishing with 122 from 111 balls. West Indies' attempt to keep the series alive as they set off in pursuit of 330 was unsettled by a side strain to Gayle in the field, which forced him to come in at No. 5; Sarwan was relegated lower still. The Bravo brothers' third-wicket stand of 114 set the scene for Gayle, but he played round a length ball from Faulkner, whose hollered send-off earned him a fine. Lusty late hitting by Russell, returning in style after sitting out the Perth games with a knee injury, gave West Indies a glimmer, but Faulkner was nerveless at the death. This was Australia's first international match in the capital, which celebrated its centenary the following month.
Man of the Match: S. R. Watson.
The returning Watson could not have hoped for a better start to life as a specialist batsman. Having decided to shelve his bowling temporarily after breaking down with a calf injury in the Boxing Day Test, he reaped instant dividend with his first one-day international century for almost two years, finishing with 122 from 111 balls. West Indies' attempt to keep the series alive as they set off in pursuit of 330 was unsettled by a side strain to Gayle in the field, which forced him to come in at No. 5; Sarwan was relegated lower still. The Bravo brothers' third-wicket stand of 114 set the scene for Gayle, but he played round a length ball from Faulkner, whose hollered send-off earned him a fine. Lusty late hitting by Russell, returning in style after sitting out the Perth games with a knee injury, gave West Indies a glimmer, but Faulkner was nerveless at the death. This was Australia's first international match in the capital, which celebrated its centenary the following month.
Man of the Match: S. R. Watson.