World Cup champion Australia carved out its 18th consecutive victory on Saturday with a frantic, two-run win over the West Indies in the rain-affected opening one-day cricket international at Jamaica's Sabina Park.
The West Indies, which set a revised target of 208 to win off 37 overs, fell short at 205 for eight.
Vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan led the home team's charge with 47 not out off 34 deliveries.
PHOTO: AP
But it was not enough as all-rounder Ian Harvey grabbed three crucial wickets after a rain delay. The move followed his unbeaten 48 off 30 balls that earlier powered Australia's total to 270 for five off 50 overs. The Man of the Match award, however, went to Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting, who hit an impressive 59 off 66 balls with seven fours.
The West Indies, well set at 114 for two off 23.2 overs when steady rain forced an interruption, lost rapid wickets when they resumed needing a further 94 runs off 13.4 overs.
Harvey (three for 37) removed Devon Smith (26), captain Brian Lara (23) and Marlon Samuels (2) in an important spell. Sarwan kept a packed home crowd of 14,000 interested with a few meaty strokes, but it proved too much for the 22-year-old.
He reached the last over with 16 needed and collected seven off the first three balls, but lost the strike to tailender Mervyn Dillon, who could not provide the firepower to conjure a spectacular win.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat first in a cricket tri-series second round preliminary league match Sunday. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 79 runs May 10 in the first round of league matches, which ended with all three competing teams winning a match each.
New Zealand is the third team featuring in the limited-over competition. Both teams made one change in their teams.
Sri Lanka inducted leg-spinning allrounder Kaushal Lokuarachchi for medium-pacer Dharshana Gamage in the team that defeated New Zealand by five wickets Tuesday. Pakistan replaced pace bowler Umar Gul with Shabbir Ahmed in the side that lost to New Zealand by seven wickets Sunday.
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