By BV Swagath
Australia were declared winners by 17 runs according to the D/L Method in the rain-affected Group B Match against West Indies at Colombo. The Aussies chasing a stiff target of 192 were nicely placed at 100 for 1 in 9.1 overs when rain halted play at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Shane Watson seemed to be in great touch with his 41* (from 24 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes) in the company of Michael Hussey, who sustained the momentum with his 28* (from 19 balls with 3 fours and a six). Australia needed to be at just 83 for 1 in 9.1 overs at the time of the rain interruption.
The Aussies got off to a superb thanks to the cameo of 28 from 14 balls (with 3 fours and 2 sixes) by David Warner before the left-hander was dubiously given caught behind by Umpire Asad Rauf off Fidel Edwards in the 3rd over. Since that the pair of Watson and Hussey batted beautifully to get the runs thick and fast. Sunil Narine was the only bowler who looked to be troubling the Aussies but could bowl only 2 overs which went for 16 runs. Shane Watson for his all-round contribution was the Player of the Match.
West Indies Innings: West Indies batting fired on all cylinders to pound the Australians for a massive total of 191 for 8 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Chris Gayle provided the impetus with a powerful 54 from 33 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. Marlon Samuels coming in at no.4 followed it up with a sweetly struck 50 from 32 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes. Both these innings from Gayle and Samuels gave no respite for the Aussies who just couldn’t come back in the contest!
Apart from Gayle and Samuels, the West Indies got quick cameos here and there to finish on a high. For the Aussies, left-arm quick Mitchell Starc impressed with his 3 for 35 in 4 overs. Shane Watson also did a fine job taking 2 for 29 in 4 overs.
Toss and Teams: West Indies, one of the tournament favourites have won the toss and elected to bat first in the Group B Match against Australia at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Australia are almost through for the Super Eights having defeated Ireland easily. West Indies on the other hand are playing in their first match of the tournament.
Australia: David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, Cameron White, George Bailey (Captain), Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, Matthew Wade (Wicket Keeper), Brad Hogg, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy (Captain), Denesh Ramdin (Wicket Keeper), Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Fidel Edwards
