West Indies v Australia
Wisden's review of the fifth match, West Indies v Australia
15-Apr-2017
At Basseterre, St Kitts, June 13, 2016 (day/night). West Indies won by four wickets. West Indies 4pts. Toss: West Indies. One-day international debut: T. M. Head.
West Indies organised their chase comfortably to enjoy their first one-day win against Australia in eight games spread across four years. Victory had looked distant while Khawaja - promoted to open in the absence of the injured David Warner - was putting on 170 with Smith for the second wicket. But after Smith was caught and bowled aiming an ugly heave at a Brathwaite leg-cutter, the scoring rate was squeezed, and Khawaja - attempting a third - was eventually run out two short of a maiden century in the format. Bailey picked up the baton with a bright fifty, but a middle order including debutant Travis Head otherwise failed to fire. Charles and Fletcher then attacked the new ball and rode their luck - both were badly dropped by Khawaja - to put on 74 inside ten overs. Bravo consolidated with Samuels, who then satisfied his craving for the dramatic, striking three successive sixes off Zampa in the 41st over to all but seal the match. It prompted Wade to challenge his hubris, first in heated word, then in deed, running Samuels out for 92 with a smart pick-up as he ambled a leg-bye. Coulter-Nile - in for the rested Mitchell Starc - claimed two wickets in three balls, but the West Indians completed victory with 26 to spare.
Man of the Match: M. N. Samuels
West Indies organised their chase comfortably to enjoy their first one-day win against Australia in eight games spread across four years. Victory had looked distant while Khawaja - promoted to open in the absence of the injured David Warner - was putting on 170 with Smith for the second wicket. But after Smith was caught and bowled aiming an ugly heave at a Brathwaite leg-cutter, the scoring rate was squeezed, and Khawaja - attempting a third - was eventually run out two short of a maiden century in the format. Bailey picked up the baton with a bright fifty, but a middle order including debutant Travis Head otherwise failed to fire. Charles and Fletcher then attacked the new ball and rode their luck - both were badly dropped by Khawaja - to put on 74 inside ten overs. Bravo consolidated with Samuels, who then satisfied his craving for the dramatic, striking three successive sixes off Zampa in the 41st over to all but seal the match. It prompted Wade to challenge his hubris, first in heated word, then in deed, running Samuels out for 92 with a smart pick-up as he ambled a leg-bye. Coulter-Nile - in for the rested Mitchell Starc - claimed two wickets in three balls, but the West Indians completed victory with 26 to spare.
Man of the Match: M. N. Samuels