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The stage was set for a record run chase at the Gabba on Sunday as Australia did their best to breath life into the besieged one-day format. What happened next threatened to become a Valentine’s Day massacre.
Set a daunting 325 to win, the West Indies could only manage 8-274 as Australia clinched the five-match series with a game to spare.
Reduced to 6-146 in the 31st over, the Windies’ pedestrian chase briefly came to life through Kieron Pollard (62 off 55 balls) and Dwayne Smith (59 not out off 63).
But the pair’s 102-run, seventh wicket stand proved too little, too late for the tourists.
Skipper Ricky Ponting’s sparkling 106 off 112 balls had earlier lifted Australia to a record one-day international total at the Brisbane ground – 7-324.
The previous best was 4-303 by India in 2004.
Ponting was chuffed at the way his side bounced back after being bowled out for 225 in Friday’s washed-out third game at the SCG.
“To bat first and post that sort of a total – the highest total ever at the Gabba – that is really satisfying and is a great reward and great result for the team,” Ponting said.
“We were a little disappointed with our batting as a group in Sydney and a couple of games before that we have been in good situations and not capitalised.
“I was glad as a group we just didn’t let another opportunity to post a big score slip.”
Ponting set the platform with Cameron White (63 off 78 balls) in a 131-run, third-wicket stand before late fireworks from James Hopes (42 off 21).
Australia’s batting display was a welcome shot in the arm for the one-day format which has come under fire following Twenty20’s runaway success.
But it proved a hard act to follow.
While skipper Chris Gayle (34 off 21) showed intent, the crowd sensed the Windies charge was over when he was caught behind off his bogey man Doug Bollinger (2-44) in the seventh over – and so did Ponting.
“Gayle came out really hard early, but we stuck with it and when we got that wicket I thought we were home – the game was really over with 25 overs to go,” he said.
Narsingh Deonarine (53 off 69) also showed some resistance but the tourists were always behind the eight-ball thanks to Bollinger and Ryan Harris (2-64).
“We knew that they were going to come out at us…after the last game in Sydney,” Gayle said of Australia.
“(Shane) Watson (26 off 22) got off to a flyer…Ricky played a beautiful innings – we were asking for trouble given they started so well.”
A crowd of 20,088 were at the 40,000-capacity Gabba – another disappointing one-day turnout this summer.
Earlier, White was struck in the head by a Pollard bouncer on 35 but remained at the crease after treatment.
He was later taken to hospital for precautionary x-rays but was cleared.
Watson played after Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke was rested for the match but is expected to return for the dead rubber in Melbourne on Friday.
“We’re disappointed we lost the series 3-0 so far,” Gayle said.
“(But) we test ourselves as players and characters going up against the best and performing – it’s a learning experience for them.”
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