Cricket
Watson returns with century
2013-02-06 09:24
Canberra - Shane Watson hit a century on his
return from injury and Phil Hughes cracked 86 as Australia scored a
daunting 329 for seven in the third one-day international against the
West Indies on Wednesday.
Watson, opening the innings after five
weeks out with a calf injury, smashed 122 off 111 balls in a welcome
return to form before this month's four-Test tour to India.
He
reached his seventh ODI century off 102 balls and then set about Kemar
Roach, clubbing a huge six logged at 114 metres (374 feet) into the
stands, followed by a four as he threatened to go on for a big ton at
the Manuka Oval.
But Watson holed out to Kieron Pollard - one of
four catches to the athletic West Indian - two balls later, top-edging
to deep backward square leg as he went after Roach's second-last ball of
his eighth over.
Hughes, who gave a chance cutting through slip
on six, threw away the opportunity to make his third ODI century this
season when he was caught behind off Sammy for 86.
Wicketkeeper
Devon Thomas had taken a painful blow on his thumb the previous delivery
but he held the catch while standing up to the stumps to medium-pacer
Sammy.
Hughes scored his runs off 93 balls with 10 fours and a six and departed with less than five overs left in the innings.
The
Australians, chasing a series victory after winning the opening two
ODIs in Perth, lost a flurry of late wickets as they tried to accelerate
the scoring on the bat-friendly pitch.
Opener Aaron Finch, who
was fortunate not be caught off a leading edge on 20, was out when he
tried to run a Sammy delivery down to third man only to be caught behind
for 38 off 41 balls.
Finch helped put on 89 for the opening wicket with Watson and missed a great opportunity to cash in.
Skipper
Michael Clarke was out to a juggling caught and bowled by Pollard for
15 in the 41st over as the Australians, who won the toss, went after a
300-plus total.
Glenn Maxwell left the wicket shaking his head in
disbelief when he was brilliantly caught one handed for four by a
leaping Pollard on the boundary as he looked to smash spinner Sunil
Narine for six.
Pollard plucked another near-replica one-handed
leaping catch on the rope to end George Bailey's cameo of 44 off 22
balls and give Narine his second wicket.
James Faulkner only lasted three balls before he was bowled for two.