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 Australia v West Indies 3rd Test, Adelaide, 15-19 Dec, 2000 AUSTRALIA WON BY 5 WICKETS (Lead series 3-0)  STEADY AS SHE GOES CAP'N GILCHRIST Just for a moment on the fourth day, the tidal weave that is Australian Test victory looked as if it might recede. Without Steve Waugh at the helm would the all-cpomnquering Australians keep up the record-breaking run? Brian Lara, the only West Indian who has the power and ability to turn the game single-handed, took up the role of King Canute. His so far unimpressive series exploded in a flurry of forceful shots, taking toll on a shocked Glenn McGrath, as well as the spin of MacGill and Miller. 182 runs from 234 balls (including a stand of 183 with a for once hopeful West Indian captain Jimmy Adams) was his balance-tipping contribution. This vicious stroke-play, along with an impressive 35 from debutant Marlon Samuels, took West Indies to the dizzy heights of 391. Yet Australia still made that look ordinary - Lara excepted - as Slater and Hayden added a dashing 156 in 38 overs, on the way to 403. Replying only 12 runs adrift, the tourists proceeded to 87 for two, before Lara was caught at bat-pad (becoming on of Colin Miller's firs Test ten-wicket haul) and the wheels fell off again. The last eight wickets fell for only 54 more, leaving a tricky but gettable 130. Justin Langer's dogged 48 and Steve Waugh's stand-in Damien Martyn (80 runs unbeaten in his only game of the series) with 34 not out, steadied a minor wobble at 48 for 4, blocking out any chink of light the West Indians may have thought they had seen. In the end the game and the Frank Worrell Trophy was Australia's, the ascendant wave of victory was back on its inexorable course. It seemed nothing could save the hapless West Indians from annihilation. Richard Kendall |
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WI
391
Australia
403