GROS ISLET – With their five-match One-day International (ODI) series tantalizingly locked at 1-1 following a pulsating tie in Tuesday’s third game, West Indies and Australia will clash again today.
The teams are chasing a victory that would hand either side a huge advantage ahead of Sunday’s finale.
Both squads were upbeat after practice sessions at the lush Beausejour Cricket Ground yesterday, remaining focussed on a victory that would ensure them the crucial lead in a very competitive series.
West Indies lost the opening match last Friday by 64 runs but hit back well last Sunday to carve out a five-wicket triumph.
Tuesday’s third ODI at Arnos Vale produced a tie after the Windies fought back from a near-hopeless position.
They have been strengthened by the inclusion of Trinidadian opener Adrian Barath who replaced the out-of-form Kieran Powell, a move that selectors expect to pay dividends at the top of the order.
Barath, who stroked 114 against Guyana in the regional first-class championship last weekend after recovering from a finger injury, said he was looking forward to the contest.
“It always feels good to represent the West Indies and I am happy to be back,” he told reporters after a long knock in the outdoor nets.
The diminutive opening batsman, who has played 12 ODIs, said his recent century was a good outing for him as he was able to spend at least five hours at the crease.
“It is important that I bat long if selected and set up a good platform for all the big hitters in the end. The Aussies are very good competitors,” said Barath.
West Indies will seek to extend their strong showing in the bowling department that has been led by speedster Kemar Roach and exciting off-spinner Sunil Narine.
Roach has bowled with pace and accuracy up front while Narine has been superb in the middle overs and at the death.
Narine has eight wickets at an average of ten runs and an economy rate of just under three. Roach, meanwhile, has picked up six wickets at 16 runs apiece.
Beausejour has not been a happy hunting ground for West Indies as they have not won here since they beat Zimbabwe by ten wickets nearly six years ago. (CMC)
