Poor collaboration by Darren Sammy spoiled win vs. Australia – 3rd ODI

Australia 220 all out (Michael Hussey 67, George Bailey 59, Sunil Narine 3-32) tied with West Indies (Johnson Charles 45, Andre Russell 37, Shane Watson 3-30)

Darren Sammy - Lack of planning ended win into a draw
Darren Sammy – Lack of planning ended win into a draw

Lack of planning and unresponsive attitude of Captain Darren Sammy cost the West Indies a sure shot victory in the third ODI against Australia which ended in a draw.

The Windies required just one run to win the match with three balls remaining as a little co-ordination between Sammy and Kemar Roach could have earned them the third ODI. Brett Lee bowled the fourth ball of the 50th over, Sammy played that towards point, started running but stopped in between as Roach had already reached at the striker’s end while Lee uprooted the stumps after collecting the throw and it was all over.

The Kangaroos scored 220 runs in the metered 50 overs and the Carribeans managed even runs before they were bowled out with two balls to spare.

Michael Hussey was declared ‘Player of the match’ for his solid innings of 67 off 95 balls in the middle order.

The third match of the series was played at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingston, St Vincent on March 20, 2012.

Earlier, the Aussies won the toss, opted to bat but lost three early wickets for 58 in 14.2 overs. George Bailey and the most experienced batsman, Michael Hussey took the challenge, started crafting the innings by sheer concentration and the first hundred of the innings was scored in the 26th over.

They kept the score board moving with odd boundaries, both batsmen posted their fifties in the 39th over and 100 of the partnership was also attained likewise. The score was enhanced to 170 when Bailey was caught by Dwayne Bravo off Marlon Samuels for 59 off 87 balls with one six and a four.

Hussey carried on as the wickets started tumbling at the other end and he was the fifth batsman who went back to the pavilion for 67 from 95 balls assisted with one six and 4 fours. The whole Australian team was bowled out for 220 with one ball to spare.

Sunil Narine was the chief wicket taker with three wickets, Kemar Roach and Marlon Samuels shared two wickets as Darren Sammy held one wicket.

West Indies also lost three quick wickets for 52 in 13.5 overs as the opener, Johnson Charles found himself stranded at one end and 20 runs after he became the next victim for 45 off 56 deliveries with one six and 7 fours.

They had lost five wickets for a mere 78 in 21 overs when Kieron Pollard and Carlton Baugh joined together at the crease and started the repair work. Pollard opted for aggression and dispatched a four and six in the 24th over from Brett Lee. He kept on with the pace but was caught by Xavier Doherty off Nathan Lyon for 36 off 43 with two sixes and even fours.

Andre Russell came in next, followed the pattern of Pollard and punished Clint McKay for a four and six in the 30th over as Baugh kept on consolidating at the other end. Russell was caught behind by Matthew Wade off McKay again for 37 from 42 balls which comprised one six and three fours.

The seventh wicket was lost at 181 runs in 42.3 overs, 9 runs later Baugh departed for 33 and West Indies still required 30 from 30 balls with two wickets in hand. Sunil Narine dispatched consecutive sixes in the 47th over and the target was reduced to 18 from even balls.

They were searching six runs in the last over with one wicket in hand as Sammy stole one run from the first ball, Kemar Roach got a single from the next and Sammy sent the third ball rolling out of the fence. Darren Sammy should have a mid wicket meeting with Roach as just one run was required from three balls but the fourth ball ended their innings with a run out.

Shane Watson led the bowling from the front by grabbing three wickets, Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty held two wickets each as Brett Lee and Nathan Lyon chipped in with one wicket a piece.

The capacity crowd cheered their team but West Indies were unable to achieve a possible victory, which could have sparked further celebrations around the island.


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