Kingstown: Big-hitting Kieron Pollard blasted a typically muscular 47 as West Indies clinched their first win in six years over Australia when they took the second one-dayer by five wickets.
In a match reduced to 40 overs a side because of rain , Australia struggled to 154 for nine under cloudy conditions last nigh with West Indies reaching their Duckworth-Lewis target of 158 with 10 balls remaining.
Pollard top-scored with 47, an innings which featured four huge sixes, one of which, off spinner Xavier Doherty, cleared the Arnos Vale stands and ended on the runway of the neighbouring St Vincent airport. Carlton Baugh had the honour of hitting the winning runs, another six of the hapless Doherty which flew over midwicket as the home side finished on 163 for five. Dwyane Bravo also played a crucial role, making 30 in a fifth-wicket partnership of 64 with Pollard which swung the game the West Indies’ way after they had lost opener Kieran Powell to a first ball lbw off Brett Lee.
Australia won the first game at the same venue on Friday by 64 runs, their 15th win in their last 16 one-dayers against West Indies, a run stretching back to the 2006 Champions Trophy in India. West Indies had won the toss and put Australia into bat. (AFP)