Cricket: Watson pleased with Australia bowlers’ effort
Team canters to 64-run win over West Indies in 1st ODI.
KINGSTOWN:
Australia captain Shane Watson praised his team’s bowlers after the tourists maintained their six-year unbeaten run against the West Indies when they cantered to a 64-run victory in the first One-Day International (ODI).
Chasing a modest 205 target, West Indies were well set at 97 for three in the 24th over. But they lost their next six wickets for seven runs and despite a final-wicket flourish with captain Darren Sammy hitting 35, the Windies were still left looking for a first win over Australia since 2006.
“We knew it was an average score and would be enough if we bowled well,” said Watson. “Dwayne Bravo was batting very nicely so we needed a breakthrough but the surface was offering help to the quicks and spinners. Xavier Doherty came back really nicely when he changed ends.”
Sammy admitted it had been another poor day for the home team. “We’re very disappointed,” said Sammy. “Losing six wickets for seven runs set us back a bit.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2012.
Australia captain Shane Watson praised his team’s bowlers after the tourists maintained their six-year unbeaten run against the West Indies when they cantered to a 64-run victory in the first One-Day International (ODI).
Chasing a modest 205 target, West Indies were well set at 97 for three in the 24th over. But they lost their next six wickets for seven runs and despite a final-wicket flourish with captain Darren Sammy hitting 35, the Windies were still left looking for a first win over Australia since 2006.
“We knew it was an average score and would be enough if we bowled well,” said Watson. “Dwayne Bravo was batting very nicely so we needed a breakthrough but the surface was offering help to the quicks and spinners. Xavier Doherty came back really nicely when he changed ends.”
Sammy admitted it had been another poor day for the home team. “We’re very disappointed,” said Sammy. “Losing six wickets for seven runs set us back a bit.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2012.