With only 11 overs available because of rain, the West Indies took full advantage. Xavier Marshall and stand in skipper Dwayne Bravo put on quite the show in the contest, hitting sixes and fours everywhere to establish the team at 102 with an 11.12 run rate per over. Marshall posted a stupendous 36 runs off 15 balls to be the pick of the batsmen, with the distinction of hitting Brett Lee for six off the opening ball. Though the Aussies would mount a spirited comeback they only could manage 97 runs at 8.81 runs per over.

Final scores:

Australia innings (11 overs maximum) R B 4s 6s SR
SE Marsh c Marshall b Roach 29 22 1 2 131.81
wicketkeeper L Ronchi c Taylor b Roach 36 22 6 1 163.63
SR Watson not out 17 15 1 1 113.33
DJ Hussey c Perkins b Bravo 0 2 0 0 0.00
CL White not out 10 6 1 0 166.66
Extras (lb 2, w 2, nb 1) 5

Total (3 wickets; 11 overs) 97 (8.81 runs per over)

Did not bat captainRT Ponting, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, B Lee, MG Johnson, JR Hopes

Fall of wickets1-57 (Ronchi, 5.6 ov), 2-72 (Marsh, 7.5 ov), 3-72 (DJ Hussey, 8.2 ov)

Bowling O M R W Econ
JE Taylor 2 0 23 0 11.50 (1w)
SJ Benn 2 0 19 0 9.50 (1w)
FH Edwards 2 0 12 0 6.00
KAJ Roach 3 0 29 2 9.66 (1nb)
DJ Bravo 2 0 12 1 6.00

West Indies innings (target: 98 runs from 11 overs) R B 4s 6s SR
XM Marshall run out (Watson) 36 15 3 3 240.00
WKD Perkins run out (Ponting) 9 11 1 0 81.81
wicketkeeper D Ramdin c Johnson b Watson 8 6 1 0 133.33
captain DJ Bravo not out 28 15 1 3 186.66
ADS Fletcher not out 7 8 1 0 87.50
Extras (b 6, lb 1, w 7) 14

Total (3 wickets; 9.1 overs) 102 (11.12 runs per over)

Did not bat KA Pollard, DJG Sammy, SJ Benn, KAJ Roach, FH Edwards, JE Taylor

Fall of wickets1-53 (Marshall, 3.3 ov), 2-59 (Perkins, 4.6 ov), 3-64 (Ramdin, 5.3 ov)

Bowling O M R W Econ
B Lee 2 0 26 0 13.00 (1w)
MG Johnson 2 0 30 0 15.00 (1w)
SR Watson 2.1 0 17 1 7.84
JR Hopes 2 0 14 0 7.00
CL White 1 0 8 0 8.00 (2w)

The West Indies made a valiant attempt to save face but eventually the hill was too high to climb. They failed in their bid to capture the last test by 87 runs. At the end of play Australia had registered 251 & 439 declared and the West Indian team could only muster 216 and 387 all out.

Gayle was gracious in defeat: “Congratulations to Ricky and his team. Well done to all our guys, but unfortunately we came out on the losing side.”

For further details of the match check out information at Cricinfo

Enjoying a spate of positive outings, Shivnarine Chanderpaul has earned an elevation in the ICC player rankings. Moving level with South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, Shivnarine Chanderpaul enjoys a position just three points behind Mohammad Yousuf from Pakistan. In the past 12 months, he has scored 1062 runs in 9 tests. Congratulations Shiv!

In what turned out to be a very controversial test, with umpires making close if not questionable calls, the West Indies have pulled out what seemed like an impossibility through the sterling effort of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul who the batted West Indies to safe harbour. Sarwan top scored with 128 and Chanderpaul chipped in with an unbeaten 77. The West Indies managed to reach 266 for 5 before the two sides decided it was pointless to continue 30 minutes into the scheduled close with 5 overs remaining. With the Australians already 1-0 ahead in the series with one match to go it means they retain their hold on the Frank Worrell Trophy since they cannot lose the test series. The Australians have not lost a test series in the Caribbean since 1991.

The West Indies are facing an uphill challenge in the second test against Australia. Australia have declared at 470/7 with the West Indies reply now at 255/4. S. Chanderpaul and D. Bravo are now at bat hoping to push the West Indian squad to victory. The current partnership yielding 73 runs.

Even though they made a valiant attempt by dismissing Australia for 167 in their second innings, the batting of the West Indies squad let them down. Set 287 to win, the West Indies saw their openers unable to make a sizable dent in the lead and were scuttled out for a modest 191, still shy some 96 runs to win. They will hope to take away key lessons for the other upcoming matches in the tour and seek to continue providing exciting cricket for their spectators. Check the scoreboard here.

The ding dong battle between Jamaica and Trinidad had yet another chapter written yesterday as the Jamaicans capped a successful campaign at Sabina Park with a perfect 3/3 by winning the Carib Beer Challenge Trophy against its rivals.

Helped by some fantastic spin bowling action from Nikita Miller who closed with 5/92, Jamaica won the contest with nine wickets and two days to spare. Final scores: Trinidad and Tobago 121 and 241, Jamaica 293 and 71 for 1.

That’s the sentiment that most Windians expressed when heavy rains caused the third one day international between West Indies and Sri Lanka to be called off after just 18 overs into the replying innings. The West Indies nonetheless won the series 2-0. Get more info on the series here.

The West Indies have found themselves yet again in a difficult position as they try to overcome a massive 476/8 declared & 240/7 declared posted by Sri Lanka in both their innings. Their attempt thus far? 280 & 307/9
Get scores and info here