Australia maintained their six-year unbeaten run against the West Indies when they cantered to a 64-run victory in the first one-dayer on Friday after the home side suffered an embarrassing batting collapse. Chasing a modest 205 target, West Indies, who had lost 14 of their last 15 one-dayers against the Australians coming into the match, were well set at 97 for three in the 24th over.
But they then lost their next six wickets for a paltry seven runs and despite a final-wicket flourish with skipper Darren Sammy hitting 35, with five fours and three sixes, the Windies were still left looking for a first win over Australia since 2006.
A fourth-wicket partnership of 64 between Marlon Samuels, who made 35 with three huge sixes off one over by left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, and Dwayne Bravo (32 off 43 balls with five fours and a six) had put the West Indies in the driving seat.
But once Bravo, bowled by Dan Christian, and Samuels had been dismissed in successive overs, West Indies were bowled out for 140 in the 33rd over with Doherty taking 4 for 49 off eight overs. “We knew it was an average score and knew it should be enough if we bowled well,” said Australia captain Shane Watson.
“Dwayne Bravo was batting very nicely so we knew we needed a breakthrough but the surface was offering help to the quicks and spinners. Xavier Doherty came back really nicely when he changed ends. All the bowlers were good today.”
Sammy admitted it had been another poor day for the home team. “We are very disappointed. Losing six wickets for seven runs set us back a little bit,” he said. “Hopefully we can bounce back in the second match on Sunday. We have two more games here, we have a history of getting better as a series goes on.” Australia had made 204 for eight off their 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat on a typically slow Arnos Vale pitch.
