Australia v West Indies, 2012-13
Wisden's review of fourth ODI, Australia vs West Indies, 2012-13
15-Apr-2014
At Sydney, February 8, 2013 (day/night). Australia won by five wickets. Toss: West Indies.
With the series already won, Mitchell Starc was given the last two games off to rest his ankle - only for another left-armer, Johnson, to dismantle West Indies. At 55 for six, a repeat of the Perth debacle was on the cards, but Pollard's return to form at least spared that embarrassment. Though renowned more for hefty hitting, he knuckled down to make 109 from 136 balls, his third century in the format. But West Indies' score was never defendable once Watson got in, especially after he was badly dropped behind by Thomas on 32. Watson was able to neutralise the threat of Narine, who came on in the mandatory powerplay and troubled all the batsmen in a teasing ten-over spell. But otherwise the West Indian bowling lacked bite and, once Watson had put on 53 with Finch and 62 with Hughes, the result took on a grim inevitability. Clarke felt discomfort in his troublesome hamstring while helping knock off the runs, and withdrew from the next match.
Man of the Match: K. A. Pollard.
With the series already won, Mitchell Starc was given the last two games off to rest his ankle - only for another left-armer, Johnson, to dismantle West Indies. At 55 for six, a repeat of the Perth debacle was on the cards, but Pollard's return to form at least spared that embarrassment. Though renowned more for hefty hitting, he knuckled down to make 109 from 136 balls, his third century in the format. But West Indies' score was never defendable once Watson got in, especially after he was badly dropped behind by Thomas on 32. Watson was able to neutralise the threat of Narine, who came on in the mandatory powerplay and troubled all the batsmen in a teasing ten-over spell. But otherwise the West Indian bowling lacked bite and, once Watson had put on 53 with Finch and 62 with Hughes, the result took on a grim inevitability. Clarke felt discomfort in his troublesome hamstring while helping knock off the runs, and withdrew from the next match.
Man of the Match: K. A. Pollard.