West Indies v Australia – 5th ODI – Match preview
With the 5-match ODI series taking an unexpected turn as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 took a 2-1 led following their 42-run win in the last match, the hosts will be looking for a series sweep as they take on Australia in the final match of the
series today on March 25 at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.
The Aussies posed a formidable threat to the hosts, arriving in the West Indies fresh from their victory in the Commonwealth Bank series. Add to that the fact that the Windies had not won a one-day series against the tourists since
1995, and the home team’s chances looked remarkably bleak.
However, after suffering a 64-run defeat in the first ODI, the hosts made a remarkable comeback in the second, securing a 5-wicket win. The 3rd match ended in a tie, but their new-found luck also came good in the 4th
match, leading to a 42-run victory for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJG-Sammy-c1382’s men.
With the series decider looming on the horizon, the hosts will be going with an unchanged side. Adrian Barath and Johnson Charles, who contributed a solid 56-run opening stand in the previous match, are expected to open the batting,
and Marlon Samuels will be coming in at number 3. The right-hander has been unremarkable with the bat so far in the series, registering scores such as 35, 20, 2, and 11, but his bowling performances have been comparatively better – he took 2 for 29 in the
first ODI, and followed that up with 2 for 39 in the third match.
The star of the Windies batting order is expected to be Kieron Pollard, who smashed a 102 off 70 balls in the last ODI – his 2nd international century in this particular format. The match-winning ton marked the 24-year-old’s
rise to prominence on the international stage, after he managed scores such as 4, 36, and an unbeaten 47 in the previous matches.
The host team’s bowling attack has elements of pace and spin, both of which have worked equally well for them in the series so far. Prominent amongst the spinners is http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sunil-Philip-Narine-c91869, whose stellar 4 for 27 was integral for his team’s
victory in the second ODI. He has been similarly consistent in the other matches, taking 3 for 32 in the third match, and 1 for 21 in the previous game.
The pace attack is likely to be spearheaded by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJ-Bravo-c1379, who has claimed 6 scalps in 4 innings throughout the ongoing series.
The tourists, despite a series of 2 losses, will also be going with an unchanged side. The Aussie batting line-up has failed to impress in the series so far, with the highest individual score having been registered by Michael Hussey
in the 3rd ODI – a 67.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558 will be opening the batting, and the pressure of a series decider may enable them to register a respectable opening stand – their highest in the series so far was a 34 in the 3rd match.
Peter Forrest, who debuted in the recently wrapped-up CB series, and shot to prominence with a 104 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 at Hobart, has been retained at number 3, despite disappointing outings of 26, 0, and 24 so far. However, Tasmania’s
George Bailey has been performing considerably well, having managed scores such as 48 and 59, and is expected to boost the innings for his side at number 6.
The bowling attack has been http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s saving grace throughout the series, largely due to spinner Xavier Doherty, whose 4 for 49 was the sole reason behind Australia’s 64-run win in the first match. Despite the team’s losses,
he managed to claim 1/39, 2/30, and 2/64 in the last three ODIs.
Veteran pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brett-Lee-c48419 has been fairly consistent, claiming one scalp in each of the first three matches, and 2 for 72 at Gros Islet on Friday. Other bowlers with potential, who can help Australia bounce back for a final say in
the series, are Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CJ-McKay-c1265.
The pitch in St. Lucia has proven to be fairly batsman-friendly, but has unusual pace and bounce for a Caribbean pitch (leading Watson to compare it to an Australian wicket), which could augur well for the fast-bowlers on both
sides.
West Indies playing XI (probable):
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CS-Baugh-c1293 (wicketkeeper), Darren Sammy (captain), Sunil Narine, Kemar Roach
Australia playing XI (probable):
David Warner, Shane Watson (captain), http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BW-Hilfenhaus-c1204
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