WI VS AUS 2ND ODI

That's a wrap to the second ODI. The West Indian spinners opened up some old scars of Australia and reminded them about their perennial issue. This win has handed them 10 crucial CWC points and now the hosts will be gunning for another 10 points along with the series win on Monday, 26th July 2021. The first ball will be at 2.30 pm local (6.30 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Kieron Pollard, the victorious West Indian skipper, says it's pleasing to win but he thinks they have some work to do. Mentions that after having Australia 6 down for 45, they didn't put their foot on the accelerator. States that his batting unit didn't make it easy as well and further says that it seems that they don't like to do things the easy way. Calls the performance of his spinners fantastic. He is satisfied with the way his bowlers started the game but again repeats that to let Australia reach 187 was a bit disappointing. Terms Australia's bowling as world-class. Praises Pooran and Holder for their partnership and feels that the former is looking like his old self again. On the role of Jason Mohammed in the team, Pollard replies that it's a catch-22 situation with him as he is playing a role where if you lose a couple of wickets, you want him to bat long. Also adds that Mohammed gives them that sixth bowling option. Signs off by saying that they would look to come up with their best combination in the last match and wants his team to keep improving in all three facets of the game.

Alex Carey, the captain of Australia, says it was an interesting game of cricket and it doesn’t help when you are 5 down for not a lot of runs. Still, Carey is proud that the bowlers got them to a respectable total. Tells that they took some early wickets again and created opportunities. Mentions that unfortunately they could not close the game and he feels that they were probably 20-30 runs short. Feels that spin is going to be a threat on these type of wickets. The Aussie skipper is impressed with the way Wade and Starc put up a fight with the bat. Further says that with the new ball it might spin and bounce a bit more so they need to survive the initial period against the spinners. Lauds all his bowlers and is pumped up for the last match but at the same time, he is looking for improvement in their batting.

Nicholas Pooran is chosen for the Man of the Match award! He starts by saying that he wants to dedicate this to his wife as this is his first half-century since he got married. Tells us that for him it was just about building a partnership and putting up a fight with Jason Holder. Mentions that he backed his strengths and was looking to find the gaps. On his success, Pooran credits that to his hard work and shares that he has been trying a lot of things in the nets. Praises all the bowlers for their good work and is honest to admit that they allowed Australia to get too many runs. Feels that the body language in the field dropped due to that.

Presentation time...

Earlier in the match, Australia were in all sorts of trouble as they were reduced to 45 for 6 inside 13 overs. It was a steady procession for them but the lower order combined and propped up the total to 187. Wes Agar played a vital knock and his record stand with Adam Zampa appeared enough once Australia also dismissed West Indies' top 5 wickets for 72 runs. But as mentioned earlier, the record 6th wicket stand at this venue for the hosts brought the series back on level terms. A word of praise for Akeal Hosein also who created big impact in his first spell.

It was all about fighting! Adam Zampa's double blow had the West Indies reeling at 72/5 and Australia appeared to be running away with the show. However, Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder got together to stitch in a stand. The Aussies created opportunities but the dropped catch of Pooran when he was on 26 and the runs needed were 65 probably cost them the match. In a small chase, all you need is one big partnership and the 93-run stand between Pooran and Holder saw the hosts through.

A hard-fought win for West Indies! They had to sweat for every run as Australia turned up with full force in the defense of 187 runs. Mitchell Starc was bowling with a lot of fire and venom at the start and he got the better of Evin Lewis and Darren Bravo in one over. The partnership that followed between Shai Hope and Jason Mohammed could be pretty underrated but to keep the danger of Mitchell Starc at bay and form a 36-run stand at that time was no mean task. Shai slowly started to get into his groove, hitting a hat-trick of boundaries against Riley Meredith but then lost his concentration and got bowled after charging the spinner.

FOUR! WEST INDIES WIN BY 4 WICKETS! A flatter full ball around off, Alzarri Joseph goes with the turn and heaves it over mid-wicket for the winning runs. The series is levelled now.

FIVE WIDES! Straying down the leg side, spinning past Joseph's pads, missed by the keeper and by leg slip, racing into the boundary. West Indies are almost there.

Flighted delivery on off, Pooran opens his arms and lofts it on the bounce to long off for a single.

Flatter one on middle, keeps low and watchfully defended by Pooran.

Shorter one on middle, staying low, Pooran does well to defensively push it back to the bowler.

A bit flatter on off, Pooran goes back in to block this one.

SIX! WOW! Tossed up on off, Pooran whacks it inside-out with the spin over extra cover for a biggie. Just 7 needed now!

A yorker in the blockhole, Joseph has his bat down in time as he blocks it to the off side. End of another breathtaking spell by Starc, 10-1-26-3!

In the air... falls safely! Fuller in length and outside off, 142 kph, Pooran plays a mistimed lofted shot towards cover. It clears the infield and they cross.