Windies thumped in Kingstown

Cricket365
March 16, 2012

An all too familiar surrender greeted the West Indies in Kingstown, where they lost six wickets for just seven runs to fetch a 64-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the first ODI of their five-match series on Friday.

A 205-run target seemed very achievable, even after the early losses of Kieran Powell, Johnson Charles and Darren Bravo. Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo were at hand to keep their side on track, with the duo's attacking stroke play bringing momentary cause for alarm in the touring camp.

Samuels was particularly aggressive, carting spinner Xavier Doherty for three sixes in his first over. While Daniel Christian thanked the lateral movement that bowled Bravo for 32 to end a threatening 64-run alliance, Doherty enjoyed the last laugh when he sent Samuels packing for 35.

The right-hander suffered a typical rush of blood to head, with his attempt to again go big over the leg-side only resulting in a catch bobbled to first slip. The departures of Bravo and his established partner in consecutive overs kicked off a dramatic capitulation, with Carlton Baugh, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine departing within 22 balls of each other.

Doherty was the chief destroyer amid the collapse, snaring a four-wicket haul, while Christian complemented the left-armer with a tidy brace.

Darren Sammy, sensing that the end was nigh, duly called for the batting Powerplay and dished out some late hitting. His lower-order cameo of 35 from 20 deliveries only delayed the inevitable, which eventually arrived in the 33rd over as the Windies skipper holed out to cover.

The final nail was driven into the home side's coffin, which isn't likely to prove anything more than ajar across the remainder of a series that is probably going to be very one-sided.

However, the Aussies won't walk away from the game entirely pleased. They'll want a hang of a lot better from their batsmen the next time around.

Friday saw their top four establish good starts but not convert, while the in-form David Hussey fell for a duck. Twenty20 International captain George Bailey, meanwhile, impressed on debut with a fluid 48 on a pitch tricky at times.

Spinners Narine and Samuels exploited the two-paced conditions well, as did Doherty later. With the second one-dayer set to take place at the same venue come Sunday, the visitors wouldn't be untoward in selecting slow bowler Nathan Lyon instead of a seamer.