Australia crushes West Indies

Press, 23 October 1989, Page 18

Australia crushes West Indies

NZPA-AAP Madras Australia opened its account in the Nehru Cup with a crushing S9-run win over the West Indies but paid a price in injury at the Chidambaram Stadium in Madras yesterday. Off-spinner Tim May was taken to hospital for X-rays to his right knee after he had to be taken from the field on a stretcher during the fifteenth over of the West Indies innings, and was diagnosed as having tissue problems.

The Australian team manager, Alan Crompton, said May had not twisted his knee but had suddenly lost power in it

After Australia had hit 6241 from its alloted 50 overs, the West Indies produced a pathetic batting performance — Richie Richardson apart — and were all out for 142 in just 40.1 overs.

The loss was the West Indians' second in the Nehru Cup and their fifth on the trot after a disappointing tournament in Sharjah last week. Australia now has one win and one loss from its two games and will play Pakistan in Bombay today. The man-of-the-match, Allan Border, won the toss and elected to bat, but the move appeared to backfire early with some bounce in the wicket and Australia struggling at 2-35 in the thirteenth over. But Border (46) and opener Geoff Marsh (74 in 2% hours) steadied the side with a stand of 112 for the third wicket. Steve Waugh then unveiled a masterful one-day knock of 53 not out to ensure the West Indies would have to chase 4.84 an over.

The Carribean innings began badly when Carlisle Best was yorked first ball by Terry Aiderman when attempting a back-foot drive. Desmond Haynes was run out for five attempting an unlikely second run on Waugh’s arm while Logie played on to O’Donnell. As May was being carried from the ground, Merv Hughes captured the crucial wicket of Viv Richards by removing his middle stump. First-drop Richie Richardson was the only West Indian to go past 20 runs, making 61. Border bowled excellently — tying down the West Indians with 3-20 from 10 overs and he finished their resistance when he had Richardson caught and bowled for 61 with 18 overs still to play. Border’s performance with both bat and ball won him man-of-the-match honours.

Australia’s win marks the West Indies’ fifth successive one-day loss. AUSTRALIA G. Marsh c D. Haynes b R. Haynes 74 D. Boon b Benjamin .... 1 D. Jones c Best b Walsh . 20 A. Border c Ambrose b R. Haynes 46 S. Waugh not out 53 5. O’Donnell c R. Haynes b Benjamin 17 T. Healy b Benjamin. ... 2 M. Hughes not out .... . 3 Extras (bl, lb!2, w7, nbs) 25 Total (for 6 wickets). ... 241 Fall of wickets: 2, 35, 147, 169, 230, 237. Did not bat: G. Lawson, T. May, T. Aiderman. Bowling: Ambrose 9,1, 37, 0; Benjamin 9,2, 38, 3; Walsh 10, 0, 50, 1, Marshall 10, 0, 31, 0, Richards 6,0, 36, 0, R. Haynes 6,0, 36, 2.

WEST INDIES D. Haynes run out 5 C. Best b Aiderman o R. Richardson c and b Border 61 G. Logie b O’Donnell. ... S V. Richards b Hughes ... 5 J. Dujon b Border 13 R. Haynes c Jones b Hughes 18 M. Marshall c Aiderman b Border 11 W. Benjamin lbw Jones . . 2 C. Ambrose not out 0 C. Walsh b Jones 6 Sundries (2b, 31b, 4w, 3nb). 12 Total 142 Fall: 2, 11, 36. 59, 86, 110, 122, 134, 134. Bowling: T. Aiderman 5,0, 19, 1 (2nb); G. Lawson 7,0, 18, 0; M. Hughes 6,0, 27, 2 (Iw, Inb), S. O’Donnell 6,0, 19, 1 (lw); A. Border 10, 2, 20, 3; D. Jones 6.1, 0, 34, 2 (2w). Batting time: 173 mins. Overs: 40.1. Australia won by 99 runs. Man of the match: Allan Border.