Australian Associated Press From The Guardian UK

Australia 265-7; West Indies 266-6 (45.4 overs)
West Indies win by four wickets with 26 balls remaining

Australia paid the price for a sub-par total, ineffectual bowling and early dropped catches in St Kitts, where West Indies recorded a four-wicket win in the ODI tri-series clash.

Usman Khawaja (98) and Steve Smith (74), both promoted one spot up the order because of David Warner’s broken finger, took control of the game in a 170-run stand. The hosts did well to restrict Australia to 265-7 then Marlon Samuels top-scored with 92 as his side hauled in the target with 4.2 overs remaining.

Matthew Wade completed a remarkable run-out of Samuels in the 41st over, sprinting to short leg, plucking the ball then turning and throwing down the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Samuels launched the three previous deliveries from legspinner Adam Zampa over the rope, leaving his side wanting 26 more runs from 56 balls.

There threatened to be a late twist when Nathan Coulter-Nile removed Denesh Ramdin and Jason Holder, the latter clearly furious after unsuccessfully reviewing his caught-behind dismissal. But Carlos Brathwaite and Kieron Pollard kept their cool.

The result means the race to the tournament final in Barbados on 26 June is wide open, with Australia and West Indies both having recorded two wins – although the hosts have played one less game. South Africa, who have one victory from three games, also remain in the mix.

A 300-plus total looked on the cards at Warner Park before Smith fell and Khawaja was run out two runs short of his maiden ODI century. Australia only managed 93 runs from their final 15 overs, while West Indies’ fightback continued in a breathtaking start with the bat.

The locals rocketed to 0-40 after four overs as Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher unleashed on Coulter-Nile and Josh Hazlewood. Mitchell Starc, rested as he continues his comeback from ankle surgery, was sorely missed.

Charles and Fletcher’s 74-run stand came in 9.5 overs, although both openers were reprieved by Khawaja. Fletcher was on four when he chipped a ball to mid-on, where Khawaja was unable to hold a low catch. He then made a mess of a chance in the deep off the bowling of James Faulkner, which came when Charles was on 36.

Fletcher scored 27, while Charles was trapped lbw on 48 by a slider during Zampa’s first over. Zampa also removed Darren Bravo but the early onslaught allowed the hosts to take few risks in the final stages of their chase.

Smith’s desperation showed in the 37th over, when Samuels was on 65 and Australia reviewed a caught-behind shout. There was a faint noise but replays showed a clear gap between bat and ball.

IMAGE:
Kieron Pollard celebrates the West Indies’ victory over Australia at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts. Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

For more on this story go to: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/14/off-colour-australia-fall-to-west-indies-in-caribbean-odi-tri-series