Hosts set 250-run target for India in 4th ODI
Antigua: Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons struck fluent half centuries as West Indies registered a competitive 249 for eight in the fourth fourth One-day international against India here on Monday.
Sent into bat after Suresh Raina won the toss, Pollard top-scored with a typically aggressive 70 off 72 balls, while opener Simmons notched up a fluent 67 off 78 deliveries, to lift the hosts to their highest total of the season after the Indian bowlers had them in a spot of bother at 89 for four.
Pollard hit six boundaries and two sixes while Simmons had three sixes and an equal number of fours to his credit.
Praveen Kumar was the most impressive of the Indian bowlers, picking up three for 37.
India were off to a good start after seamers Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar dismissed Danza Hyatt and the experienced Ramnaresh Sarwan by the fifth over.
But even as wickets continue to fall, Simmons looked in total command at the other end, finding the fence with ease.
After his dismissal, Pollard took over and in the company of Carlton Baugh, did the repair work with a solid half-century partnership at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
But just when the hosts threatened to pile up a huge score, Pollard went for an expansive shot against Ravichandran Ashwin that found Ishant at long-off.
Earlier the lanky Ishant gave India a perfect start, removing Hyatt as early as in the second over of the match.
Kumar then had the Sarwan caught at point by Rohit Sharma.
Simmons tried to rebuild the innings, and in the company of Dwayne Bravo, put together a fifty partnership for the third wicket, but Mishra cut short what seemed like a flourishing partnership, by having Bravo caught at deep midwicket in the 16th over.
The leg-spinner, who has been having a good series with ball, struck again eight overs later when he trapped Marlon Samuels in front of the wicket to leave the hosts reeling at 89 for four.
West Indies were dealt a body blow when Simmons, who looked in good touch during his stay at crease, was run out by an agile Manoj Tiwary. After a late cut against Yusuf Pathan, Simmons came into his own, unleashing three sixes, two off Mishra and one against Ishant, before getting out. (PTI)
Brief score
West Indies innings
249/8 in 50 overs
(L Simmons 67, K Pollard 70; P Kumar 3-37)