With the series won, Australia will have an eye on rotating players around, but a clean sweep beckons as they take on a West Indian side looking to save face.
We’ll bring you the live coverage of the action throughout this fourth one day international at the SCG from 2.20pm AEDT on February 7.
Despite coming into their own with the bat in the previous couple of ODIs, West Indies have fallen short in both chases.
They looked good to win the second ODI but never in contention in the third, despite a solid fourth wicket stand between the Bravo brothers.
Chris Gayle’s side injury may have been an issue but given his recent form it may not have mattered anyway.
As it turned out, he came out to bat at number five in the previous game and lasted all of five deliveries before being sent off by James Faulkner.
Batting however, may not be West Indies’ problem; it could well be down to their bowling in that both their strike bowlers – Kemar Roach and Sunil Narine – have struggled to come to grips with the Australian tracks so far.
Australia’s confidence with the bat in the shorter format has grown, undoubtedly thanks to the improved tracks and reduced bowling pedigree, especially in comparison with the Sri Lanka series.
If it was George Bailey whose century propelled Australia to a match-winning century in the second ODI, Shane Watson made his return to the team a memorable one with a cracking hundred in the third.
And the way West Indies have bowled it is easy to imagine someone else could join this 100-getting bandwagon soon.
The Sydney track could assist a little more turn than the ones before this game. In line with their player management policy, the Australian selectors could rest one of the pace bowlers and get Xavier Doherty into the side.
Also in line for selection will be Adam Voges in case George Bailey does not recover from his hamstring injury.
With Gayle not expected to recover in time as well, West Indies might want to make a change instead of risking him for an inconsequential game. Johnson Charles could get his ninth call up, or Narsingh Deonarine may provide an all-round option to prop up their slow bowling attack.
We will bring you the live coverage throughout the game from the SCG and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
Images from the game – photos by Paul Barkley/LookPro
[roargal]
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The flip to that, unfortunately, is that there are those who point fingers at journos, critics etc for criticising despite not having been a part at the highest level. That and the fact that for likes of Nicholas and Brayshaw, they cannot afford to rub a cricketer the wrong side given that their job is more like an MC and less of a commentator. How do they interview a cricketer with a straight face at the end of the game after having lambasted them in the comms box? Which is why I am quite okay with a couple who may not be too critical but to have guys like Slater, Tubby, Healy not call it as they see it is sad.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
West Indies were never in the game once they had scored only 220 batting first. Even that looked a long stretch after slumping to 6/55 and 7/98 at different times in the match. There were chances that both Watson and Hughes offered in their second wicket stand of 62 and had West Indies taken those, things could have got a lot closer. Watson finally got out for 76 but by then it was all over bar the shouting, with Clarke's 38 helping their cause. Best was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies, ending with 2/38 in 9.5 He bowled with what can be defined as the meaning of 'bowling with a lot of heart' and at speeds touching 150 km/hr. No batsman looked comfortable against him and it is a surprise he did not start in the first couple of games or so. That's it from me then. I will be back with the coverage of the fifth and the final ODI before the one-off T20I - the last game of this summer season. As always, it's been a pleasure.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And off the next one, Maxwell has clinched the ODI for Australia, backing away and drilling it through for a four. Australia have won by five wickets with more than five overs to spare.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Maxwell, all of a million bucks behind his back, shows the confidence he should facing up to Best. Backs away and wants to crack it through. Misses.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And would you believe it! Best's got a wicket now! Bouncer and Clarke wants to pull it away to finish off the game. Instead he gets a top-edge and it flies to the keeper... ...again it's Best who's doing all the appealing and the umpire obliges. Surprised to see the keeper not really joining in!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Couple of runs tapped to the leg-side level the scores. One more to win.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A single off the Free Hit to fine-leg takes Australia to 4/218. Three more to end proceedings.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Russell bowl a wide! Which means that Australia need four and Clarke's still got his Free Hit!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Wade crunches one through the covers for a four...and the requirement is down to single figures. Russell's bowled a no-ball which gives Clarke a Free Hit. Five needed to win.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Ooo! Almost a wicket! Clarke wanted to drive it over the bowler's head and he mis-hits it... ...so sure Clarke was about that being out that he began walking back before realising that it could pop over the fielder and that is what happens. Just not West Indies' day in the field.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And Best's conceded only one off his ninth over. Now Best has always been quick but his problem has always been control. Not seen him show so much control before. This has been a serious couple of spells or so from Best. 14 needed now
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Tino Best has come on to bowl his last spell.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
...and what a start for Wade! He swats the first ball he faces - a Free Hit alright - over fine-leg for a six! Poor ball, short and easily hittable and Wade did well. 15 needed off eight overs.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Whoa, Russell almost had another one! It was a short ball from Russell and the pull had him top edging it to fine-leg, falls just short. It was a no-ball in the end, wouldn't have counted anyway. What will count is that its a Free-Hit to follow...
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And now West Indies finally have a wicket! Voges tries to play Russell away to the leg side but it spoons up and looks to be going over Darren Sammy at short mid-wicket. He has to rush back to take a well-judged catch, but gets up a tad gingerly, having taken the catch awkwardly. 4/198 in 41.3
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Couple of bouncers and both of them called wide. Clarke expects him to pitch it up and walks out of the crease but Pollard does not release the ball! Wish I could say, it's all happening, but the truth is that the only thing happening is that Australia are slowly and steadily cruising their way to a very comfortable win. 3/196 in 40.3
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four singles and a boundary off the last ball of the over! Voges takes full toll of the full-toss and smacks it to deep square-leg. Only 27 runs needed to finish this off now. 10 overs remaining.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Wow! Now that's a first, Pollard's bowled his delivery from about three yards behind the popping crease! In line with the umpire!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Dare I say it looks like the West Indian side is going through the motions. Singles coming easily despite the Powerplay and Australia need only 40 more. Those missed chances earlier seem to have taken the sting out of their chances.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Cuts away to the fence for four! Voges gets his first boundary, was short and wide from Pollard and easily crashed through backward point. 3/174 in the 37th