West Indies won the toss and elected to field first - and in a rain interrupted contest got the battering of a lifetime from Australia’s devastating opener Mathew Hayden who scored 158 runs, highest by any Australian in the World Cup.
The pitch covers were brought upon in the innings break when the Oz’s had packed themselves in the dressing room post mauling the West Indies’ bowling for 322 for 6.
Owing to bad light and rain, the match officials decided to call of the days play and postpone it sending the West Indies’ run chase into an overnight delay.
As it is, 332 is a mammoth total in all condition anyhow - and it looks a distant reality for the hosts -
Few reasons:
• West Indies kickoff their batting at 9 in the morning - losing out on the advantage of batting later in the day, for which the crucial decision of bowling first was taken.
• West Indies have been the most vulnerable batting order always, whether it was in ‘75 and ‘79 or in 2k7.
• Australia are the defending World Champions and with Ponting leading have the ability to put the best under pressure - a Aussie positive that further clutches the Windies.
Citing the aforementioned limitations there are a few boosters from which West Indies can take heart:
• Some recent triumphs over the Aussies.
• Australia features an immature bowling line-up barring McGrath the others are susceptible to pressure.
• West Indies has the home soil advantage backed with an intense batting depth.
The match is well poised let’s see what unfolds in this crucial super 8 tie.
