Kingstown, St Vincent — West Indies went down to Australia by 64 runs in a low-scoring match to start the Digicel One-Day International Series at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground on Friday.
Xavier Doherty had 4 for 49 in the first ODI against Windies. Photo: windiescricket.com
“We were happy to chase 205. After that kind of bowling effort we were fully focussed on chasing down that target. We didn’t complete the job in the second half, and that hurt everyone in the dressing room,” Sammy after the match.
West Indies bowled well in the first half of the match to limit the visitors to 204-8 off 50 overs. Dwayne Bravo used the new ball on his return to the team and ended with 3-58. Marlon Samuels (2-29) was good with his off-spin, while pacer Kemar Roach (2-33 off 10 overs) also bowled well.
Bravo played some quality strokes to make 32 off 43 balls – adding 64 for the third wicket with Samuels, who hit three sixes in one over to make 35. Samuels reached 3,000 career runs during the innings. At the end of the innings, Sammy opened his shoulders to topscore with 35 off 20 balls.
“We did some good things today, but we didn’t complete the entire job. We were going really well when Samuels and (Dwayne) Bravo were in, and building a good partnership. Then everything went wrong from there. We didn’t bat well in the middle there. We were irresponsible and we paid for our mistakes,” Sammy said.
“We don’t have much time to get it right. We have the second match just around the corner on Sunday and we have to come out fighting and look to win that. We can’t afford to slip 2-0 down.”
The West Indies will have a training session on Saturday morning at Arvos Vale as they prepare for the second Digicel ODI on Sunday at the same venue.
Match schedule for Digicel ODI Series
Friday, 16 March – 1st Digicel ODI: Australia won by 64 runs
Sunday, 18 March – 2nd Digicel ODI at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground, St. Vincent
Tuesday, 20 March – 3rd Digicel ODI at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground, St. Vincent
Friday, 23 March – 4th Digicel ODI at Beausejour Cricket Ground, St. Lucia
Sunday, 25 March – 5th Digicel ODI at Beausejour Cricket Ground, St. Lucia