Third ODI Between Australia And West Indies Ends In A Tie

The full house at Arnos Vale Ground was treated to a pulsating match as the third ODI between Australia and West Indies ended in a tie, leaving the five match series tied at 1-1. Following West Indies victory in the second one-dayer, which had come after nearly five years, the prime minister of St Vincent had declared Tuesday a national holiday and the crowd got their money’s worth.

Chasing 221 West Indies looked out the match at 78 for 5. But partnerships between Pollard (36) and Baugh (33), Baugh and Russel (37) took West Indies close to the target. West Indies needed 7 runs in the last over. After scoring singles off the first two balls, Sammy tied the score’s with a brutal hit to the boundary off Brett Lee. With only one run needed off three balls, and one wicket in hand, Roach set off for a non-existent run and by the time Lee collected the ball and broke the stumps, both Roach and Sammy were stranded at the striker’s end and West Indies had squandered a big opportunity.

Earlier Australia had looked set for a big score before their batsmen collapsed in a heap to Narine’s guile and Roach’s pace and also to some extent their own lack of application. From 202 for 4 Australia was bowled out for 220, losing 6 wickets for just 18 runs. Bailey and Hussey scored half centuries, 59 and 67 respectively.