West Indies levelled the three-match ODI series against Australia in Barbados after winning the second clash by 4 wickets. Chasing a target of 188, the hosts had a disappointing start to the proceedings as they lost a couple of early wickets after Even Lewis and Darren Bravo were sent back in the hut by Mitchell Starc early.
But wicket-keeper batsman Shai Hope and Jason Mohammad tried to resist and chipped in with a partnership of 36 runs before Mohammad was cleaned up for 11 by Adam Zampa.
The right-hander’s dismissal once again pushed the home side on the backfoot as they lost a couple of more wickets in quick succession and were left tottering at 72/5.
Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder then came in for the rescue and stitched a stand of 93 runs. Both the batsmen notched up their individual fifties. Though Holder was eventually undone by Starc for 52 after getting trapped in front of the stumps while poor and remained unbeaten at 59 to take his side home in 38 overs. Starc continued his form in the series and returned with figures of 3/26 in 10 overs.
Earlier, West Indies bowlers ripped through the Australian batting line up and bowled them out for 187 in the 38th over. Batting first, the Aussie team lost a few early wickets and were left struggling at 45/6 to eventually get bundled out for 187.
Wes Agar top-scored with 41 off 36 that included a couple of sixes and three boundaries. For West Indies, Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein bagged three wickets each.
Skipper Kieron Pollard lauded the bowlers for their efforts. “When you start a cricket match you want to win. We have some work to do. I don't think we put our foot on the accelerator. Our batters didn't make it easy for us as well. Looks like we don't like to do things the easy way. The spinners were brilliant. The bowlers were brilliant. 180-190 was disappointing and that is how I would like to sum it up,” he said.
The two teams will now lock horns on Tuesday in the decider at the same venue.