May 11, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 8, 1424

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ST JOHN’S (Antigua), May 10: Australia hit back in the final Test against West Indies on Saturday as they took four wickets in a fiery morning session that also featured majestic batting from Brian Lara.

Brett Lee removed Devon Smith and Vasbert Drakes while Andy Bichel took the valuable wicket of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Glenn McGrath got rid of Shivnarine Chanderpaul as West Indies slumped to 140 for six at lunch in reply to Australia’s 240 all out.

In between, Lara hit a flurry of boundaries and was involved in a verbal exchange with rival captain Steve Waugh that forced the intervention of umpire David Shepherd.

Lara was 40 not out, including seven fours and one six, and Ridley Jacobs was still to get off the mark.

West Indies, resuming on 47 for two, added 26 runs to their overnight score before Smith was out for 37 as he edged Lee to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

Lee also dismissed night watchman Drakes, who was out lbw for 21.

But Lara kept the West Indies score moving in his own inimitable style.

He got off the mark with a six by slashing a Lee delivery over point and then cut two successive Jason Gillespie balls to the third man boundary for four.

Bichel was given similar treatment when he replaced Gillespie as Lara pulled him through mid-on for another boundary to reach 8,000 runs in Test cricket.

Bichel then caught and bowled Sarwan, whose 24 came off 36 balls and included five fours, before McGrath struck just before lunch when the ball sneaked between bat and pad to bowl Chanderpaul for one.

On Friday, fast bowler Jermaine Lawson took career-best figures of 7-78 as West Indies bowled Australia out for their lowest total in the series.

West Indies were 47 for two in reply at the close after McGrath dismissed Chris Gayle with the second ball of the innings before Daren Ganga was caught behind by Gilchrist off Bichel for six.

The 23-year-old Lawson, who took a split hat trick in the third Test, removed opening pair Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer before lunch, dismissed Darren Lehmann after the break and then mopped up the last four wickets.

Mervyn Dillon took the key wickets of captain Steve Waugh and Gilchrist, while Omari Banks took the other wicket to fall as West Indies exploited a bouncy Recreation Ground pitch.

Waugh suffered some uncomfortable moments against Lawson and also escaped when he got an inside edge to Banks, while Martin Love, Ponting’s last-minute replacement, escaped twice in successive Banks overs, being dropped by Chanderpaul both times.

Love was out two balls after the second for 36 when he deflected the ball on to the stumps as Australia slumped to 128 for four.

Waugh and Gilchrist added a quick 53 before Dillon dismissed both in successive overs after tea.

The Australia captain made 41 when he was judged to have been caught behind by Jacobs off Dillon and trudged away reluctantly, clearly believing he had not touched the ball.

Gilchrist followed for 33, including five fours, when his pull shot flew high to Chanderpaul running in from wide mid-on.

Bichel then made a snappy 34, which included seven boundaries off 39 balls, before he was Lawson’s fourth victim as he cut the ball straight into the hands of substitute fielder Marlon Samuels at backward point.

Lawson completed his five-wicket haul when Lee attempted to fend off a bouncer and the ball looped into the gloves of Jacobs.

He then had Stuart MacGill caught by Sarwan at second slip, having softened him up with bouncers in the two previous deliveries before Jacobs took a flying catch to his left after Gillespie edged another Lawson delivery.