Sport

Australia breaks the Champions Trophy jinx

G. Viswanath

The West Indies stumbles at the final hurdle.

GREAT SHOW: The Australians celebrate Brian Lara's dismissal.

Mumbai: Australia's relentless march towards its first Champions Trophy victory was delayed by rain. On resumption after the break, Shane Watson (57) and Damien Martyn (47) did not give any chance to the hapless Caribbeans at the Brabourne Stadium. Brian Lara brought in the conventional seam attack in the form of Ian Bradshaw as replacement for Gayle, who bowled six balls. After that Adam Gilchrist fell to Bradshaw and Ricky Ponting was trapped leg before to Taylor.

The CCI had to summon the manpower at its disposal to make the ground fit for play. Watson was careful not to lose his wicket with reckless shot-making. Martyn was impeccable and confident. The third wicket pair showed no haste and took Australia to the revised target of 116 runs to be scored in 35 overs.

Earlier, the West Indies flattered to deceive. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle sent the Australians on a leather-hunt after Brian Lara won the toss and elected to bat. The aggressive left- handers tried to dominate the bowling.

It was a remarkable start to the title match of the competition where runs had come at a premium for over three weeks. The show lasted until the unsung left-arm seamer Nathan Bracken drew first blood by removing Chanderpaul. Thereafter the Australian pace bowlers gained the upper hand and bowled out the West Indies for a meagre 138 in 30.4 overs.

Fruitful stand

Chanderpaul and Gayle found the gaps at will. The awesome pair used the pace of Lee to execute strokes to perfection. The West Indies openers clobbered a persevering Lee on a slow pitch. Even the rare ball that moved in the air was struck with disdain. Lee conceded 36 runs in his opening burst of three overs, a clear signal for Ricky Ponting to look towards his most famous fast bowler for help.

Lara hinted on Saturday about turning the heat on Australia at the first opportunity. The time was upon the West Indies after the toss was won. Gayle and Chanderpaul seemed to be over ambitious. Chanderpaul paid a heavy price after playing a handful of rasping shots.

Gayle also departed after Chanderpaul dragged the ball on to his stumps. Showing the power of his forearms, Gayle had twice heaved Glenn McGrath over the mid wicket. Earlier he had hit blinding shots in front of the wicket; an off drive, a backfoot straight drive and an extra cover drive. It was explosive stuff with the bat dominating the ball.

Big blow

The dismissal of Gayle — playing a defensive shot — halted the West Indies' aggression and the flow of runs. The Caribbeans touched 49 in five overs and added 31 in the next five overs, but lost three vital wickets.

Well aware of Lara's back spasm, the Australian pacemen bowled smartly, forcing the West Indian captain to bring his body into play. Lara faced 18 balls and showed fine judgment to leave the balls, but McGrath bowling round the wicket compelled him to nick behind.

After the fall of Gayle at 80, the West Indies managed to add 58 runs.

Shane Watson was adjudged the Man of the Match.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies: S. Chanderpaul b Bracken 27, C. Gayle b Bracken 37, R. Sarwan c Hogg b Bracken 7, D. Bravo lbw b Hogg 21, B. Lara c Gilchrist b McGrath 2, R. Morton c Gilchrist b McGrath 2, M. Samuels c Ponting b Watson 7, C. Baugh lbw b Watson 9, I. Bradshaw b Lee 7, J. Taylor (not out) 5, C. Collymore (run out) 0; Extras (lb-5, nb-3, w-6): 14; Total (in 30.4 overs): 138.

Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-65, 3- 80, 4-88, 5-94, 6-113, 7-125, 8- 125, 9-136.

Australia bowling: Lee 7.4-0- 49-1, Bracken 6-0-22-3, McGrath 7-3-24-2, Symonds 3-0-16-0, Watson 3-0-11-2, Hogg 4-1-11-1.

Australia: A. Gilchrist c Gayle b Bradshaw 2, S. Watson (not out) 57, R. Ponting lbw b Taylor 0, D. Martyn (not out) 47; Extras (lb-4, w-5, nb-1): 10; Total (for two wkts. in 28.1 overs): 116.

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-13.

West Indies bowling: Gayle 1-0-5-0, Taylor 7-0-42-1, Bradshaw 6-0-21-1, Collymore 6-1- 19-0, Samuels 5-0-10-0, Sarwan 3.1-0-16-0.

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