SPORTS EDGE

Symonds, Hussey boost Australia
Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:50 GMT

Andrew Symonds hit the top score ofp 87 and David Hussey supported with 50 to help Australia set West Indies 283 to win the fourth One-day International on Friday. Symonds struck 10 fours and a pair of sixes from 78 balls, and Hussey smote one four and two sixes from 51 balls, as Australia, sent in to bat, reached 282 for eight from their allocation of 00 overs on a hard, true Warner Park pitch. Dreadlocked Symonds and ODI newcomer Hussey put Australia back on a track, after the visitors wobbled to 129 for four in the 29th over. When Symonds was caught at mid-off off Fidel Edwards in the 47th over, they had added 127 for the fifth wicket. Australia lost James Hopes caught at mid-wicket for a first-ball duck off Edwards next ball, and as they chased quick runs late, Hussey was caught inside the deep mid-wicket boundary off West Indies captain Chris Gayle in the 48th over before Luke Ronchi was caught inside the long-off boundary for 12 in the final over. Australia had started steadily before Shane Watson was caught behind off Daren Powell for 20 in the eighth over, and Shaun Marsh was also caught behind off the same bowler for 16 to leave the visitors on 56 for two in the 12th over. Michael Clarke, leading Australia for the first time in an ODI, joined Mike Hussey, David's elder brother, and they stabilised the innings with a stand of 60 for third wicket before they both fell within in the space of five overs. Hussey was caught on the deep mid-wicket boundary for 11 mistiming a pull at a short ball from Dwayne Bravo in the 24th over, and Clarke was adjudged lbw for 36 to become left-arm spin bowler Nikita Miller's first wicket in ODIs. West Indies made two changes to their line-up. They dropped Andre Fletcher and Sulieman Benn, and brought in Shawn Findlay and Miller in to make their ODI debuts. Australia are making just one change, bringing David Hussey in for his ODI debut for their injured captain Ricky Ponting, whose stiff left wrist has sidelined him for the match, so that Clarke will lead Australia for the first time in an ODI. Australia have an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, after winning the opening match by 84 runs in St. Vincent, the rain-affected second ODI last Friday by 63 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis Method, and the third ODI last Sunday by seven wickets.