Tri Series 2016, 5th ODI Review: West Indies stun Australia

A magnificent innings of 92 from Marlon Samuels saw the West Indies overhaul Australia in the 5th ODI of the Tri Series 2016. While Johnson Charles and Darren Bravo played helping hands in the team’s cause, the Aussies paid heavily for losing David Warner with Debutante Travis Head not making much of his ODI debut for Australia.

Jason Holder called the toss perfectly as the Windies opted to bowl first. The Australians were thrown into disarray when Aaron Finch was caught at slip from a rising Jason Holder delivery. However, the crisis men for Australia were present in the form of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith. It was at this point that the Australians looked as though they were on the track to victory.

The duo battled for the better part of 34 overs before Steve Smith caressed the ball straight back into the hands of Carlos Brathwaite. Smith retired to the haven of the dressing room for a well-made 74 before Usman Khawaja too threw his wicket away from a few short overs later. The run out meant that Khawaja would not get the century he so richly deserved as he headed back to the sheds two runs short of his century.

The decision to leave out Glenn Maxwell and play George Bailey was met with severe criticisms. However, the 34-year old showed one and all why he was picked ahead of Maxwell with a wonderfully constructed half-century. His compilation of 55 in just 56 deliveries saw him smash a boundary and two massive sixes. There was little or no contribution from the lower order as the Aussies completed on a par score of 265/7 in their quota of 50 overs.

While the Aussies had opted for a slow start to their innings, the West Indies came out all guns blazing. Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher began to take the Aussie bowling attack apart. Flecther, in particular, was severe on the moderate pace attack comprising of Nathan Coulter-Nile, with the Aussies having left out Mitchell Starc. Johnson Charles soon got in on the act as he smashed a few boundaries, keeping the West Indies on the course for victory.

Darren Bravo also showed some elegant intent with a six, only to be dismissed by the irresistible Adam Zampa. Enter Marlon Samuels. The 35-year old rose to the occasion once again, smashing the Aussie bowlers all over the park. His explosion showcased a sinister trait about the man. He is like a volcano, erupts only once in a while. However, in the case of Samuels, he erupts at the right times.

He inched closer to completing his second century in ODI cricket as he set St. Kitts ablaze. However, having clobbered his way to 92, Samuels was run out by Matthew Wade, his trademark dismissal. However, at this point, the West Indies required just 27 runs to win as Kieron Pollard smashed the winning runs as the West Indies claimed a 4-wicket win. Marlon Samuels was adjudged the man of the match for his match-winning innings despite the impressive innings from Usman Khawaja.

Brief Scores

Australia 265/7 in 50 overs (Khawaja 98; Pollard 2/32)

West Indies 266/6 in 45.4 overs (Samuels 92; Zampa 2/60)