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Watson stars but Australia pegged back
08:45, Feb 7 2010
Shane Watson celebrated his 100th one-day international appearance by top scoring with a half-century as Australia squandered a promising start against the West Indies in the opening match of the Commonwealth Bank series.
After West Indies skipper Chris Gayle won the toss and surprisingly elected to bowl first in what were ideal batting conditions, Australia looked poised for a huge score when they reached 118 for one after 25 overs.
But they were reeled in thanks to some fine bowling from Windies all-rounder Kieron Pollard at the MCG and eventually posted 256 for eight on a pitch which lacked the pace of the strip used for Friday night's Twenty20 international against Pakistan.
Watson and Shaun Marsh put on 50 for the first wicket before Marsh fell for 20 in the 11th over, caught behind by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin off the bowling of Dwayne Smith.
Watson and Ricky Ponting combined for an 85-run stand for the second wicket as Watson bought up his 50 in the 23rd over.
His half-century came off 65 balls with six boundaries, although he was almost run out on 49 as he attempted to scramble back to his crease - minus his bat - after slipping over in the middle of the pitch. Luckily for Watson, Gayle fumbled the ball at the bowler's end when a clean take would have seen the batsman run out by several yards.
Gayle had his revenge when he had Watson caught at long-on for 59 shortly after, before Pollard underlined his growing reputation as one of the most exciting young all-rounders in world cricket.
The 22-year-old struck his first blow when he bowled Ponting with a magnificent delivery that nipped back and went between bat and pad in the 30th over as the skipper departed for 49, and also picked up the wickets of Cameron White (18) and Brad Haddin (eight).
Haddin's dismissal came after Pollard pulled off a sharp one-handed catch off his own bowling and although the ball clearly carried, Haddin stood his ground waiting for the third umpire's decision believing that he had hit the ball into the ground.
However, replays showed Haddin had indeed chipped the ball straight back to Pollard, who celebrated his best one-day figures of three for 45 off his 10 overs.
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