Windies go under to Aussies

West Indies were slated to play their second match of the Super Eight Round yesterday versus New Zealand at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium needing to rebound after a 103 run loss to Australia on Wednesday.

The West Indies chasing 323 for victory, folded at 219. Chris Gayle 2, Shivnarine Chanderpaul 5, Marlon Samuels 4 and Ramnaresh Sarwan 29, at the top the order tell the tale of the West Indies response, as injudicious strokes aided the Australians victory. A victory which turned out to be a stroll in the park for the number two ranked side in the world in One Day Internationals.{{more}}

A polished 77 by Skipper Brian Lara and an attractive 52 from Dinesh Ramdin formed the major resistance from the host which like their opponents came into this phase of the World Cup with a one hundred percent record from their three preliminary matches.

The Australians in their usual clinical display ensured that no major partnerships were built.

The wily Glenn Mc Grath bagged 3 for 31, spinner Brad Hogg 3 for 56 and the speed merchant Shaun Taitt 2 for 43, entrenched the defending champion with another two points.

On the rain hit eventually first day of the match, Brian Lara called correctly and inserted the Australians on the newly commissioned venue.

Immediate success greeted the host as Darren Powell removed the dangerous Adam Gilchrist caught at the wicket by Ramdin for 7, with the score on 10.

Captain Ricky Ponting and Hayden then added 66 for the second wicket before Ponting was brilliantly run out for 35 from a direct throw by Sarwan.

Hayden got in gear and belted the West Indies to all parts of the ground. He reached his off 72 balls with six fours.

Hayden lost his partner Michael Clarke LBW to Bravo for 41, ending their 98-run partnership.

It became 208 for 4, when Andrew Symmonds knicked a sharp catch to Ramdin off Samuels. He fell for 13. In the interim Hayden crossed his second consecutive century laced with eight fours and one six, using up 110 balls in the process.

The barrel-chested Hayden pouncing on anything fractionally short raced to his 150, off an additional 27 balls. Mike Hussey’s short stay at the crease bowled by Powell for 9, did not stop Hayden’s onslaught as he motored on.

Fresh from his record breaking 66 ball century against South Africa last week Saturday, Hayden found Shane Watson a useful and both put on 53. Hayden perished at 297, caught by Samuels off Bravo for 158 from 143 balls. Australia finished on 322 for 6, their sixth successive score in excess of 300. Watson was 33 not out.

Powell was the best bowler for the West Indies with 2 for 53 off his 10.

He was the lone bowler not to bowl a no ball or wide. Bravo had 2 for 49 off 7 and Samuels 1 for 58 off 9.

Then the heavens opened, stretching play into the reserve day, Wednesday. But the showers of praise belonged to Matthew Hayden.