But the Aussies came out of the pressure situation with flying colours as the West Indies went ragged in bowling, fielding and captaincy to lose by six wickets and with 8 balls to spare.
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Marlon Samuels’ first-ever hundred against Australia and a record-breaking partnership with Denesh Ramdin lifted the West Indies to a competitive 282/8 batting first.
Sloppy fielding was again an issue.
West Indies were inserted to bat and lost opener Johnson Charles without scoring from Mitchell Starc’s opening over. Darren Bravo hit three classy boundaries before presenting Smith with another catch, this time off Josh Hazlewood.
In order to make up for the loss of Holder’s quota of overs, Pollard and Andre Fletcher were used but West Indies failed to prevent Australia from securing a six-wicket win.
When Smith was run out, there were still 62 needed from 8.2 overs.
Matthew Wade dropped a one-handed catch when Samuels was on 65 and West Indies were 3-132 in the 29th over.
Ramdin, who has been under pressure for lack of consistent runs, brought up his first half-century for the year (and eighth overall in ODIs) since January’s Sydney Test against the same opponent.
But Samuels and Ramdin slowly rebuilt in an assured stand before emerging to play some scintillating strokes. Along with way, he also became the first West Indies wicketkeeper to score 2000 ODI runs.
Smith and George Bailey added 64 for the third wicket to turn the momentum, while Marsh and Smith further consolidated Australia’s advantage. I’m really wrapped for him. “I was literally speechless at the other end watching an innings like that”.
“We put in a good effort but being a bowler short for most of the innings cost us”, said West Indies captain Jason Holder, who could only deliver two overs before leaving the field with a leg injury. “It’s very satisfying. Nevertheless, we still have a game on Friday and that game is very important for us to win”.
Simmons said: “The work that the guys have put in over the past five or six weeks has been excellent”.
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He continued: “So for us to be in a competition with the No. 1 and No, 3-ranked ODI teams and still be in with a chance of qualifying for the final going into our last game is what we spoke about before the tournament”. “Hopefully I’ll be ready for the game on Friday, still not sure at the moment”.
