Windies On A High After Scare

The West Indies survived a typical middle order collapse to pull off a shockthree-wicket victory against Australia in a round-robin league match andconfirmed their place in the tri-series final today.

Chasing a target of 273, the Caribbeans were cruising at 242 for three beforethey lost four wickets for 13 runs to give the three-time world champions aglimmer of hope.

But all-rounder Dwayne Bravo (37 not out) and wicketkeeper-batsman CarltonBaugh Jr. (7 not out) kept their nerves to see their team home with 16 balls tospare in the day-night clash at Kinrara Oval.

Opener Chris Gayle made a well paced 79 to provide the West Indies a solidstart despite a few early hiccups.

Captain Brian Lara then hit an accomplished 87 and in the company of Gayleput on 151 runs for the third-wicket stand before the Aussies fought their wayback with some spirited bowling and fielding.

Australia's total of 272 for six was built around stand-in captain MichaelHussey's unbeaten 109, his maiden one-day hundred, and an equally aggressive 70by Brad Haddin.

The win gave four points to the West Indies and pushed their tally to ninefrom three matches, which would assure them of a final berth irrespective of theresults in the remaining two matches.

The result also means India (2 points) and Australia (7) must win theirremaining ties to make it to the final on September 24.

Australia have one match to go, against India on Sep 22, while India alsohave to play the West Indies on Wednesday.

Earlier, the 31-year-old Hussey, acting as captain for Ricky Ponting, forgeda 166-run partnership with Haddin which was instrumental in Australia's recoveryfrom 104 for five at one stage.

The left-hander, playing in only his 41st ODI, hit 10 fours and three sixesin his 90-ball knock while Haddin struck three fours and four sixes in 76 balls.

Matthew Hayden, playing in his first match of the tour, made a solid 49 andthe Queensland opener steered the Australians out of early trouble when theywere reduced to 64 for four.

Hussey and Haddin accelerated superbly in the closing overs, the last sevenovers producing 73 runs.

At one stage, Haddin hit a six each in three successive overs, two off MarlonSamuels and one off Gayle.

Hussey on the other hand unleashed his big shots against seamers JeromeTaylor (1-53) and Bravo (2-52).

Earlier, Australia rested Ponting, Damien Martyn and Glenn McGrath to giveHussey, Hayden, Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds their first outing in the series.

The Windies seemed to be heading towards a comfortable win when Gayle andLara were at the crease.

The two left-handers were hardly troubled by the bowling that lookedtoothless without McGrath and Mitchell Johnson who had terrorised the Indianbatsmen the other day.

Rookie off-spinner Dan Cullen had the temerity to take on Lara with someverbal exchange but the master blaster responded by hoisting him over thestraight sight-screen for a huge six.

Gayle, however, fell to a trap, pulling Shane Watson's short-pitched deliverystraight to Hussey at mid-wicket.

Forty seven runs later, Lara mistimed a hook against Lee and the top edge hithis gloves and popped up for a simple catch to Hussey again at first slip.

Panic set into the West Indian camp.

Wavell Hinds flashed at Lee to be caught behind for one, and Marlong Samuels(0) took on Michael Clarke at point for a single and failed to beat theleft-hander's direct hit.

When Dwayne Smith (4) was bowled through the gate by Symonds, the bittermemories of last Tuesday came flooding back.

Then, chasing a target of 280, Lara's men were well set at 172 for one beforeblowing away the match by losing the last nine wickets for 29 runs.

Today, however, there was to be no repeat of it.

Baugh steadied the nerves with a six over long-off off Symonds before Bravohit a four off Bracken.

PTI