Samuels slams 92 as Windies beat Australia in ODI

(Reuters) – A hard-hitting 92 by Marlon Samuels, which included three consecutive sixes in the 42nd over, helped lift West Indies to a four-wicket over Australia in the fifth game of a triangular one-day international (ODI) series in St Kitts yesterday.


Samuels took advantage of the short boundaries at Warner Park on the small Caribbean island, compiling his score in just 87 balls as he smacked four sixes and eight fours to compile his first career ODI half-century against Australia.

Opener Johnson Charles also played a big part in the result with a free-scoring 48 off 38 balls, which set the tone as they chased down Australia’s total with 26 balls to spare after the visitors had compiled 265 for 7 off the 50 overs.

Carlos Brathwaite hit the winning run as the hosts, who were soundly beaten by Australia earlier in the series, recorded their second victory from three matches.

Australia have won two of four matches, while South Africa, the other team in the series, have one win from three games.

After nine games — with each team playing six matches — the top two qualify for the June 26 final.

West Indies’ performance reaffirmed the competitiveness of the Caribbean team in the sport’s shorter formats, a stark contrast to their recent struggles in five-day test cricket.

“It means a lot to us,” captain Jason Holder said. “It just shows we can beat these teams. We just need to be consistent.”

Australia, sent in to bat, promoted left-hander Usman Khawaja from number three to open in place of David Warner, who suffered a fractured finger on Saturday.

Khawaja made 98 before being run out, while captain Steve Smith chimed in with 74 as the pair put on a second-wicket partnership of 170 after Aaron Finch had been sent packing for a golden duck.

But it was slow going for Australia near the end of their innings, and Smith said his team’s total was some 15 or 20 runs short of what he would have considered satisfactory.

“After 30 overs, we probably should have got a few more but credit to West Indies, I thought they bowled well,” he said in an on-field interview.

That has got to be the dumbest call for a single ...ever !!

Marlon's ODI numbers over the last two years have been pretty impressive: an average of 53 with four fifties and four centuries in 21 innings.

He batted very well and deserved a ton but for Ramdin's misjudgement.

Good win for Windies but Ramdin anywhere above 7-8 is a problem but he has to bat up the order to facilitate Lloyd's selections.

Quote:Marlon's ODI numbers over the last two years have been pretty impressive: an average of 53 with four fifties and four centuries in 21 innings.

Wow, that's pretty high. It's boosted a bit by a ton and a not out vs Zimbabwe, but it's still very high considering the state of WI's ODI cricket.

Looking at the cricinfo stats, WI seems to play very little ODI cricket. India play 20-34 ODI games a year. We seem to be playing about 15.

[quote author=TRINIDADDY link=topic=104679.msg697921#msg697921 date=1465955981]
Wow, that's pretty high. It's boosted a bit by a ton and a not out vs Zimbabwe, but it's still very high considering the state of WI's ODI cricket.

Looking at the cricinfo stats, WI seems to play very little ODI cricket. India play 20-34 ODI games a year. We seem to be playing about 15.
[/quote]
I must admit, I, too, was surprised by Marlon's numbers over the last two years. As you say, they are boosted somewhat by the big not out against Zimbabwe, although counterbalancing that are the two inexplicably low scores against Ireland and UAE. I mentioned in the game-thread that no West Indies batsman in the last match had an ODI average over 35. Marlon and Lil Bravo are the only two with an average over 30. Mail's point about Ramdin batting too high is well taken and right on the money. The trouble is, his average is right in line with everyone else in the current lineup.

***

Earlier in the week, while looking up the stats for the Zimbabwe/India ODI series, I was surprised by how few ODIs West Indies have played in recent years. Over the last two years, they have played just 24 ODIs. By comparison, with the exception of Bangladesh, all other Full Member teams have played a minimum of 40 ODIs over this period. Zimbabwe, having almost stopped playing Test matches completely, lead the way, with 53 ODIs played.

One must consider it has taken Samuels 160 games to have some sort of a reasonable average and you would have to go back to 2002 for an annual average over 40!

Despite his splendid knock last game, thus far in this series, he is only averaging mid 30s and for me that is the inconsistency of this guy.

Numerical mediocrity but at 35 I would have expected better.

He is not being used at all to BOWL :used to be a regular to justify his spot..

How many ODI wickets to his name in the same period ?  :-\

WI should give MOM to Khawaja for those dropped catches!!! 

[quote author=ketchim link=topic=104679.msg697983#msg697983 date=1466010840]
He is not being used at all to BOWL :used to be a regular to justify his spot..

How many ODI wickets to his name in the same period ?  :-\
[/quote]
I believe he still has six months left on his international ban from bowling.