Aussies win third Test controversially by 35 runs
By ANISunday, December 20, 2009
PERTH - Australia won the Frank Worrell Trophy 2-0 after claiming the final West Indies scalp in Perth today in controversial circumstances.
Windies fast bowler Kemar Roach was ruled caught behind off Doug Bollinger by umpire Billy Bowden.
Despite hot-spot technology showing no mark on the edge of Roach’s bat, and replays inconclusive, referral umpire Assad Rauf stuck with Bowden’s original decision as the Windies were dismissed for 323 runs, 36 short of victory on the fifth day at the WACA.
Tailenders Roach and Gavin Tonge bravely attempted to chase down the 51 runs required for victory this morning as they managed 44 runs for the last wicket, but their stand was broken four overs in, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
A cricinfo report said that Australia needed 21 balls on the last day to win the final Test. The result was virtually assured with the hosts needing a wicket and it came when Roach was ruled caught behind via an umpiring review.
Doug Bollinger and the Australians were certain Roach had got an edge to Brad Haddin. The batsman immediately called for a review: there was a noise but no replay showed a clear nick and there was nothing on Hot Spot. Everyone was standing around for a couple of minutes before Billy Bowden finally raised his finger for a second time following consultation with Rauf.
“He smashed it,” Bollinger said. “He hit it, he was out.” Bollinger finished with 3 for 71 and eight wickets for the game.
Roach (17) and Tonge (23 not out) started the last day chasing 51 to reach the victory target of 359 after putting on 29 from 30 balls on the fourth evening. Roach played and missed a couple of times in Shane Watson’s first over before Bollinger was taken for five runs by the aggressive Tonge. Tonge then inside-edged Watson for four and drove over mid-off for two before the fielding mood changed when Roach sliced a four over gully. They were soon celebrating again in a mixture of relief and satisfaction.
The game will be remembered mostly for the Man of the Match Chris Gayle’s 70-ball century on the second day, his second hundred of a series which started with a three-day loss but quickly became competitive.
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for his aggressive celebration of Chris Gayle’s wicket. (ANI)
