http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 2011 – Caribbean Kings win 4th ODI by 103 runs, Anthony Martin shines
After losing the first three matches of the ongoing five-match One Day International (ODI) series against India in the Caribbean, the home side finally managed to register their first win against the world champions after beating them by 103 runs in a match that was played at Antigua.
Although this win means little for the series, which has already been won by the tourists, nonetheless, it will serve as a morale booster for the side, which seems to be on a course to rebuilding its lost glory in the world of cricket.
Had it not been for the heroics from opening batsman, the in-form, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KA-Pollard-c1754, in the batting department, the Windies might not have been able to score a formidable tally in to defend against the mighty Indian batting line-up.
Then later, the bowling heroics from Anthony Martin and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andre-Dwayne-Russell-c44235 saved the day and completely rattled the Indian side as the two shared seven wickets among themselves.
Earlier in the day, after winning the toss, India chose to field first in a bid to get a clear target to go after. However, their plans were pulverised by Simmons, as the batsman took the Indian bowlers to task by smacking them all around the park.
However, his partner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/I-Sharma-c1566 delivery, after scoring one run only.
Later in the 5th over, the veteran, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/P-Kumar-c2143 on the last delivery of the over.
However, it was the partnership between Simmons and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Darren-Michael-Bravo-c52477 that gave the hosts something to cheer about. Both batsmen toyed with the Indian bowlers without giving too many chances to the fielding side so as to retain wickets in order to launch an attack later in the innings. Bravo was dismissed in the 16th over after scoring 15 runs off 36 deliveries.
In the 27th over the dangerous Simmons got himself run-out in a mix up, as Tiwary made a clean hit at the stumps at the bowlers end. Simmons was clearly short and had to depart after scoring 67 off 78.
Nonetheless, fellow batsman Pollard continued the demolition process as he scored 70 runs off 72 deliveries. He was caught in the 45th over by Sharma near the boundary off a delivery by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Ashwin-c2228.
In the end the hosts put up a total of 249 runs for the Indians to overcome in a face saving fixture for the home side.
However, even with the world’s strongest batting line-up, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/P-Rohit-Sharma-c80557, the inform batsman was the highest scorer, with 39 runs off 47 deliveries.
Leg-spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Anthony-Martin-c45051 was named as the man of the match for his unplayable bowling.
The two sides will now meet in the fifth and final match of the tournament on 16 June, 2011, at Kingston.
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