Australia in West Indies 2012: 4th ODI - Match Preview
After a thrilling last over tie in the third One Day International of the five-match series, West Indies and Australia are all set to lock horns once again at the
Beausejour Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Friday, March 23, 2012.
The series is still levelled 1-1 and both the outfits would be eager to take a lead with a victory in Friday’s game.
After struggling with the bat and ball in the opening two games of the series, the tourists seemed to have acclimatised a bit to the Caribbean conditions in the tied third One Day International. They not only put a par total of 220 runs
on the board but also the Shane Watson-led spin attack earned the side some early breakthroughs, as the hosts were reeling at 78 for 5 in the 21st over.
However, the lower batting order of West Indies showed a surprise fight against the formidable Australian attack, with the last five wickets amassing almost 120 runs to salvage a memorable tie.
The Australian top order once again failed to prove a point as skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301 showed some resistance playing a meticulous
knock of 37 runs off 51 deliveries but it was not the kind of innings belligerent Warner is known for.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Bailey-c1480 and Mike Hussey in the middle, struck half centuries to put the side on course to a par total before a lower order capitulation. The last six Australian wickets fell for 18 runs, including three ducks.
Spinners stared for the Aussies in Tuesday’s tie sharing six of the total ten wickets claimed, including a run out. And given the spin friendly nature of the St Lucia deck, one can expect the Australian spinners continue their domination.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KA-Pollard-c1754 once again turned out to be a match saviour for the hosts
with a 43-ball 36. He shared a nearly half century stand wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CS-Baugh-c1293 to put the side on its way to a tame draw, after they were struggling at 78 for 5 in the 21st over.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sunil-Philip-Narine-c91869 was once again the pick of Windies bowlers with figures of 3 for 32 in 9.5 overs.
The hosts will definitely miss swashbuckling all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221 in Friday’s ODI for his successful record at the ground with both the bat and the ball. With a tally of 444 runs in 11 innings, Gayle is the highest run scorer at this
venue. With 11 wickets in the bag, he is also the leading wicket taker at the venue. But unfortunately, it is unlikely the belligerent left-handed opener and a right-arm off-spinner will be back any time in the ongoing home series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
The only change to Windies playing XI from the drawn third ODI will be opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-Barath-c886, who comes in for struggling Kieron Pollard. Australia are likely to go unchanged in the match.
West Indies (possible) 1 Adrian Barath, 2 Johnson Charles, 3 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KAJ-Roach-c1758.
Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Shane Watson (capt), 3 Matthew Wade (wk), 4 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822.
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