Matches (11)
Pakistan vs New Zealand (1)
IPL (2)
WT20 Qualifier (4)
RHF Trophy (4)

West Indies vs Australia, 4th Test at St John's, , May 09 2003 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
4th Test, St John's, May 09 - 13, 2003, Australia tour of West Indies
240 & 417
(T:418) 240 & 418/7

West Indies won by 3 wickets

Player Of The Match
104
shivnarine-chanderpaul
Player Of The Series
523 runs
ricky-ponting
New
WI 2nd Innings
Full commentary

Amazing scenes at St John's. Crowd delirious. This will do a world of good to West Indies cricket.

Test match history has been created here - West Indies erases the record India held against them, they now hold the record for the biggest successful run chase ever in Test cricket

This is indeed the time to savour the joy of Test cricket. This is indeed a historic Test match. Everyone must thanks the curator for preparing such a wonderful pitch that provided the ideal setting for a truly great Test match.

And for the people who say Test cricket is dull and boring, here is the answer for you!

You can go through the scorecard and the comms - over and over till you start believing that Test match can provide such boundless joy if played on a true surface.West Indies started the final day on 371/6, needing 47 runs to make

West Indies started the final day on 371/6, needing 47 runs to make it to a historic Test win.

The tension was a bit too much, everyone tried to put up a brave face, both the teams knew that history beckoned them. Just the one run was scored in three overs this morning, and then Brett Lee removed Chanderpaul (104) caught behind. West Indies were 372/7 at that stage, and Australia were in with a real chance then Waugh attacked with Gillespie and Lee initially, and then he turned to Stuart MacGill, and that was to prove extremely costly.

Vasbert Drakes smacked a huge six over long to release some pressure as West Indies marched towards a victory.

The presentation ceremony is on.

Man of the Match: Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Man of the Series: Ricky Ponting

All credit to Omari Banks and Vasbert Drakes, they stuck to their task, never failed to make full use of an opportunity to score runs. Banks in particular should be commended for playing a remarkable Test innings.

For someone who is so young and inexperienced to stay there till the end and remain unbeaten on a memorable 47* is indeed a great achievement.

Drakes too played his part so well - remaining unbeaten on 27. The two added unbeaten 46 runs for the eighth wicket partnership. One could go on and on, raving about the sheer quality of cricket in this Test match. Australia really deserved to win the Test series.

They are the best team in the world at this moment by a fair margin from the other Test playing nations.

It has been a wonderful Test match at St John's. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did.

As I bid farewell to cricinfo commentary, a big thanks to everyone for the enormous support and all those emails.

Thanks once again. Kindly send in your comments and suggestion on the Live Coverage to comms@cricinfo.com

Today has once again proved that cricket is such a wonderful sport.

Cheers!

128.5
4
MacGill to Drakes, FOUR runs

INCREDIBLE! West Indies wins!!! Long hop from MacGill, Drakes cuts it away for four.

128.4
MacGill to Drakes, no run

flat and quick, forward in defence

128.3
1
MacGill to Banks, 1 run

full-toss! would you believe that? Driven wide of long on, McGrath fields

128.2
MacGill to Banks, no run

big shout for lbw, not out

128.1
4
MacGill to Banks, FOUR runs

dear-oh-dear! The customary full toss from MacGill, Banks gets a faint edge and the ball races down to fine leg for four

MacGill to continue, this could be risky

end of over 1281 run
WI: 409/7CRR: 3.19 
Vasbert Drakes23 (45b 2x4 1x6)
Omari Banks42 (111b 5x4)
Glenn McGrath 25-10-50-1
Stuart MacGill 35-8-140-1
127.6
McGrath to Drakes, no run

outside the off, left alone

127.5
McGrath to Drakes, no run

bouncer, surprises Drakes, wanted to hook it, then decides against it

127.4
McGrath to Drakes, no run

just outside the off, has a very good look at it, leaves it alone

127.3
McGrath to Drakes, no run

right on target, making the batsman play at it, defended

127.2
1
McGrath to Banks, 1 run

pushes forward, outside edge - a thick one that too, down to thirdman for a single

127.1
McGrath to Banks, no run

straight away on a good line and length, punched towards mid-on, no chance of a run

West Indies require just 10 runs. Waugh turns to his seasoned pro - Glenn McGrath

end of over 1271 run
WI: 408/7CRR: 3.21 
Vasbert Drakes23 (41b 2x4 1x6)
Omari Banks41 (109b 5x4)
Stuart MacGill 35-8-140-1
Jason Gillespie 25-10-64-1
126.6
MacGill to Drakes, no run

pushes forward, another big shout for lbw, looked like some inside edge on it

126.5
MacGill to Drakes, no run

goes for the cut, beaten

126.4
MacGill to Drakes, no run

another big shout for lbw, pitched outside the line of leg, not out

126.3
MacGill to Drakes, no run

loud shout for lbw, not out says umpire Shepherd, that was pitching on leg and middle and was holding its line, wonder why it is not out, too close anyway

126.2
1
MacGill to Banks, 1 run

tucked behind square for a run

126.1
MacGill to Banks, no run

forward in defence

MacGill continues...

end of over 1265 runs
WI: 407/7CRR: 3.23 
Vasbert Drakes23 (37b 2x4 1x6)
Omari Banks40 (107b 5x4)
Jason Gillespie 25-10-64-1
Stuart MacGill 34-8-139-1

Match State: Drinks

125.6
4
Gillespie to Drakes, FOUR runs

hohohoho! Call it the French cut if you want to - doesn't matter, thick inside edge and the ball goes down to fine leg fence for four. West Indies are now just 11 runs away from winning

The field being reset, an extra slip now

125.5
Gillespie to Drakes, no run

too high a bouncer, umpire Venkat not calling it a wide, a few have been called in this game for being too high

125.4
Gillespie to Drakes, no run

a snorter! Nasty bouncer, sways away from it

AskESPNcricinfo Logo
Instant answers to T20 questions
West Indies Innings
<1 / 3>