Martin, Russell give WI consolation win

ST. JOHN'S (ANTIGUA): Anthony Martin and Andre Russell bowled inspiring spells to hand India a crushing 103-run defeat against West Indies in the fourth ODI here Monday.

Leg-spinner Martin took a career-best 4/35 and fast bowler Andre Russell 3/16 as India, chasing a 250-run target, slumped from 110/4 to 146 all out in just 39 overs. Rohit Sharma was the only Indian batsman to pose some resistance with a breezy 39 from 47 balls.

Earlier, Keiron Pollard (70 not out) and Lendl Simmons (67) struck crucial half-centuries to take the West Indies to a competitive 249 for eight in 50 overs. India, after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, had rested some of their key players for the match.

The visitors, chasing their highest total of the series, got off to a bright start but lost wickets at regular intervals to allow West Indies to take the charge.

India were reduced to 41/2 after Manoj Tiwary (2) was caught in the second over off the West Indies skipper Darren Sammy, who then took a superb return catch in the 10th over to dismiss Parthiv Patel for 26.

The World Champions, however, were progressing untroubled, but Subramanian Badrinath was caught behind for 12 in the 17th over to trigger a collapse.

India lost four wickets for 62 between the 21st and the 31st over, including that of Rohit, who was caught at deep mid-wicket off Martin.

For West Indies, it was Pollard and Simmons who pulled them out from another middle-order collapse at the Vivian Richards Stadium.

Put in, West Indies were teetering at 89 for four, but Simmons and Pollard played intelligently and a late charge by wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh (39) and Russell (25) gave the hosts their best total of the season.

The West Indies batsmen were made to work hard by medium pacer Praveen Kumar (3/37) and leg-spinner Amit Mishra (2/56), who between them bowled six maidens.

Comeback man Ishant Sharma started impressively by dismissing Danza Hyatt (1) in the second over but went on to concede 60 runs from his 10 overs. Hyatt's wicket triggered a collapse and West Indies were 103 for five in the 27th over.

Pollard and Baugh then did the repair work with their 96-run stand for the sixth wicket. Pollard was impressive with his shot selection and all his big hits were down the ground.

Pollard hit six fours and two sixes and departed in the 45th over after he charged spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and holed out to Ishant at long-off.

Baugh and Russell then added quick 41 runs for the seventh wicket. Russell hit three fours and a six in his 14-ball 25 as West Indies got 57 in the Powerplay.