West Indies missed a golden opportunity to win the first ODI against Australia and they will now need to go harder at their opponents when the two sides meet at Kingstown for the second second ODI. We’ll bring you the live scores and commentary of the action from 12.30am AEDT.
A slow pitch at the Arnos Vale Ground made life difficult for batsmen and it will be no different in the second game at the same venue.
Australia hobbled along to what seemed a below-par score of 204 batting first, but bowled exceedingly well to run through the West Indian batting.
Barring a fourth wicket stand between Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo and a swing-a-minute innings from captain Darren Sammy when all was almost lost for the home side, none of the West Indian batters lasted any more than 15 balls at the crease.
The pitch afforded turn for Xavier Doherty but there was nothing in his bowling that suggested that he deserved his four-wicket haul. Especially after he was carted for three sixes in his very first over by Samuels.
But the West Indian batting imploded in a now-familiar manner and Australia raced off to a 1-0 lead by 64 runs.
West Indies need a better batting balance in their 11. The openers are relatively inexperienced in the absence of Lendl Simmons and Adrian Barath and after Darren Bravo at four, it is the turn of the all-rounders to take the crease.
On a track more suited to the likes of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, sloggers like Kieron Pollard seem to be batting far too up the order.
Unfortunately for the West Indies, the only two other squad members are both bowlers and that means that they are stuck with the same top-order for the first three games.
For the tourists, it will be a matter of adapting quickly to the slow, almost sub-continental nature of the pitch.
Matthew Wade was pushed down the order once again to accommodate Shane Watson at the top and it might remain like that for this game.
George Bailey, who was handed over a debut in place of a quick bowler, went on to top-score in the game. He should retain his place in the middle-order as well, but the Hussey brothers should bat at four and five.
The tourists could toy with the idea of playing an extra spin bowler, Nathan Lyon. Daniel Christian or one of the frontline batsmen could be made to sit out if the management harbours any such thoughts.
We will bring you the coverage throughout this second ODI of the series between West Indies and Australia from St. Vincent and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds from 12.30am AEDT.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The third ODI of the series will be played on Tuesday at the same venue. I will be back with the live coverage of the game. Till such time have a good time!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Despite making heavy weather of chasing a meagre total, West Indies will be highly chuffed about levelling the series here. They were again chasing a below-par total of 158 in 40 overs after failing to get to 205 in 50 in their first game. They lost a wicket off the first ball, but after that, all the batsmen contributed to the cause. In the end, it was Pollard's matured 61-ball 47 that guided West Indies through to a well-deserved win. This was after Sunil Narine had grabbed four wickets to restrict Australia to 9/154 in their 20 overs. Roach also had an excellent figures of 2/23 in his eight.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
SIX! Finishes in style there! Baugh has smacked Doherty all the way over deep square-leg for a six and West Indies have recorded their first win over Australia since 2006!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Single off the first ball of the 39th by Doherty. Scores are tied and 11 balls still to go.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Baugh's cut Watson away to the sweeper fence. It was a pitched up ball and Baugh slashed hard at it... Two needed now, and surely West Indies cannot fluff their lines here...
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Appeal! Run-out appeal at the non-striker's end against Pollard but the batsman is well in. They still need 6 from 13.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Drifts into the pads and Baugh tries to loft him over the fence, but gets only two to square-leg. Six needed from 14.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Another dot for Watson to Baugh, means they need 8 from 15.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Pollard gets a run off the first ball from Watson in the 38th. Baugh goes for a swish off the next ball but misses completely. Eight needed from 16.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! This time it is a four to the otherwise struggling Baugh! Short one and Baugh almost guided the pull shot in between the fine-leg and the deep square-leg for a boundary. Only nine needed from three overs now.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Bouncer and it almost takes Pollard with it! The batsman gets his body away, almost in time, but it still hits some part of it. To the keeper and no run. A single to fine-leg off the next one. 13 needed from 19.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Easily dabbed away to third-man for a single by Baugh. 14 still needed from 21. How Australia will hope to get Pollard out here...
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Pollard tries for a big one off the first ball from Lee's last over. Gets only a single and brings Baugh on to the strike. Dot off the second. 15 needed from 22.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Batting Powerplay now taken, which means field will be up for the remaining time in the game. Which also means that either this one will get over quickly or could go all the way to the last ball.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A slower ball and Baugh finally manages to get off the mark off his eighth ball. An outside edge through the cordon gets him a single. 16 needed from 4 overs. Pollard's moved up to 43.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Watson to bowl now. A wicket desperately needed here for Australia. West Indies need a boundary.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four dots, a single and a dot. That is a single off the Lee over and the pressure continues to build. Pressure out of almost nothing, at one stage. 19 needed from five overs for now.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Brett Lee comes back on to bowl. Another wicket here and suddenly the cat would have set itself to spoil the pigeons' party.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Baugh plays out the remaining deliveries in the over without further ado. 20 needed from six with five wickets standing.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
20 needed and Carlton Baugh has joined Pollard. 40 balls remaining.