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| May 17, 2003 | Saturday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1424 |
Windies out to end Aussies’ winning run
KINGSTON (Jamaica), May 16: The West Indies are looking for the momentum of their euphoric Antigua Test victory over Australia to carry over into their seven-match one-day international series, starting on Saturday.
The cricket world was buzzing as Brian Lara’s young team created Test history with the highest fourth innings of 418 for seven last Tuesday to floor the Australians, who were shooting for an unprecedented 4-0 Caribbean series whitewash.
Now Lara’s team face another mountain with Ricky Ponting’s World Cup champions putting on the line their 17-match unbeaten run, stretching back to last January.
Ponting slammed an unbeaten 140 off 121 balls and shared in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 234 with Damien Martyn (88 not out) to fire Australia to a record 359-2 from 50 overs - Australia’s highest total in one-day internationals and the best-ever in a World Cup final.
But the Windies may be catching Australia at the right time as Ponting’s men are on the tailend of an exhausting 10-month playing schedule, with many, particularly among the Test team, having their thoughts on home over the closing weeks of their Caribbean tour.
Ponting is recovering from a virus which forced him out of the final Test and there are concerns over the flagging fast bowlers, particularly the injury-prone Jason Gillespie, Australia’s best bowler in the Test series.
Ponting believes there is no reason his team can’t continue their winning streak.
Australia want to play their strongest team in the opening matches at Sabina Park on Saturday and Sunday to ensure a winning start, and dictate to Lara’s team from the outset.
Ponting is still not back to full-strength after a sapping virus which prevented him from adding to his outstanding performances in the opening three Tests, yet it was still enough for him to be voted man of the series.
Paceman Jermaine Lawson is in doubt for the Jamaican double-header with a back strain, but team officials say he will play during the series despite being reported last week for a suspected illegal bowling action.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, man of the match in the Antigua Test with his fighting century, will miss the ODI series because of a broken finger on his left hand and Carlton Baugh replaces wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, who needs to fully recover from injuries.
Teams
West Indies (from) - Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara (captain), Marlon Samuels, David Bernard, Carlton Baugh, Omari Banks, Ryan Hurley, Vasbert Drakes, Ricardo Powell, Corey Collymore, Mervyn Dillon, Jermaine Lawson.
Australia (from) - Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting (captain), Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Brad Hogg, Andrew Bichel, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.—AFP
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