 The fifth and the final ODI between Australia and West Indies will
be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. The Aussies have already
won the series 3-0 with one abandoned game and will look to make a clean sweep
of the series and in the summer by winning it 4-0. The West Indian side has yet
to win a single game on tour, and will look to scalp at least one win, as there
are only two T20Is to be played after this.
Click for Live Score Card of Australia vs West IndiesAustralia was never in the danger of losing the fourth ODI after they had piled
up the rather huge 324 in their fifty overs thanks to the Ricky Ponting
century, and had then had Chris Gayle dismissed before the ten overs
were up. The same problems continue to befall on the West Indies, as their batsmen
have struggled right throughout this series with only Kieron Pollard and Dwayne
Smith making it any count.
What one fails to understand, and is beyond most of the cricket fans is about
the captain's reluctance to bat the duo higher up the order. In fact, it was
a bigger shock that the pair batted at numbers seven and eight in the batting
order, which was already struggling. Having Denesh Ramdin come in to
bat higher than the pair is something almost unpardonable, especially while
chasing such a huge total and the Aussies will only be happy to not see the
pair earlier.
Ricky Ponting's comeback to form was only a matter of time. With his nemesis,
Kemar Roach out of the side, it was evident that the story was going
to be something on the likes of 'when the cat is away, the mice will play'!
Now that he has got his form back, the West Indian side could even bring Roach
back, but whether it will make any difference remains to be seen.
Michael Clarke had been given a break from the last game and one almost feels
that he deserves another one. This will mean Adam Voges will maintain his place
in the side and will get another shot to improve his 10-ball 16 that he scored
in the last game.
From amongst the bowlers, there is a good chance that one of the two, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson also being afforded breaks, as the Aussies will
look to change things around allow more players a chance to show off their wares.
4-0 for the Aussies is what one can be rest assured with the scoreline irrespective
of who plays!
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