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The West Indies will need to make 257 in 50 overs to win the first One-Day International against Australia at the MCG. The Windies bowlers, led by seamer Kieron Pollard, did well to restrict the Aussies to 256-8. Now the batsmen, led by openers Chris Gayle and Runako Morton, will start the chase towards the victory target in front a crowd of 25 000, under lights.

 

Pollard, in his first game in Windies colours since last June, had career-best figures of 3-45 from 10 overs. He picked up the key wickets of skipper Ricky Ponting for 49 and Michael Clarke for 18. Pollard bowled a clever change-up to knock over Ponting’s off-stump. Then he used the crease wisely to run a delivery away from Clarke and had him caught behind low down by keeper Denesh Ramdin.

 

In his ninth over and first of the final power-play, Pollard proved he could handle the pressure and pulled off a brilliant solo effort – one-handed return catch low to his right – to send Brad Haddin packing.

 

Ramdin was also in top form with four good catches. His third was a superb one-handed take diving to his right to dismiss the dangerous Cameron White off Kemar Roach (1-41 from 10 overs). Pacer Ravi Rampaul (2-43) was steady at the start and finished well as he bowled in the power-play overs. The other bowlers also chipped in with medium-pacer Dwayne Smith taking 1-42, the 50th wicket of his ODI career.

 

For Australia Shane Watson topscored with 59 from 74 balls and Mike Hussey chipped in with 28 from 25 balls but they were kept in check as the Windies stuck to the task.

 

During the game, the players and match officials wore yellow ribbons in tribute to people who died in bush fires a year ago in the state of Victoria.