West Indies avoid clean sweep

Martin celebrates with wicketkeeper Baugh after Sharma’s dismissal during the West Indies first one-day win [GETTY]

Leg-spinner Anthony Martin grabbed 4-36 to spur the West Indies to a 103-run victory over India in the fourth one-day international on Monday.

Martin was ably assisted by seamer Andre Russell (3-16) and captain Darren Sammy (2-43) as India crumbled to 146 all out in pursuit of West Indies’ 249-8 off 50 overs.

The host’s total had earlier been built around opener Lendl Simmons, who scored 67 off 78 balls, and Kieron Pollard’s well-crafted 70 of 72 deliveries.

Simmons anchored the top order while fellow Trinidadian Pollard guided the hosts after a middle order collapse.

Seamer Praveen Kumar led the visitors with 3-37 while leg-spinner Amir Mishra claimed 2-56.

India’s new ball pair of Kumar and Ishant Sharma made early inroads after captain Suresh Raina won the toss for the fourth time and again sent the hosts in.

Slow start

West Indies slumped to 12-2 but Simmons and Darren Bravo rebuilt in a stand of 53 for the third wicket before Mishra made his mark.

Bravo compiled 15 off 36 balls before he chipped an on-drive to deep midwicket where Tiwary hauled in his third catch.

Simmons struck three sixes and three fours in notching his sixth half century in his last eight one-day innings. But Tiwary’s direct hit from short midwicket ran out the right-hander and left the West Indies reeling at 103-5 in the 27th over.

Kieron Pollard’s boundaries ensured India had a tough target to beat in the fourth one-day game [AFP]

Pollard and wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh ensured the innings reached respectability, adding 96 off 107 balls for the seventh wicket.

Pollard dominated, lashing six fours and two sixes in his fourth one-day 50, while Baugh notched 39 off 57 balls.

Pollard holed out to long-off in the batting powerplay, but Andre Russell (25 of 14 balls) kept the momentum towards the end as the West Indies made a respectable 249 runs.

Stunning catch

India’s reply never managed to find any momentum once Sammy removed both openers with his medium pace.

Martin tightened the home team’s grip by removing Virat Kohli (21), captain Suresh Raina (10) and the in-form Rohit Sharma (39).

Russell ensured there would be no fightback, dismissing Praveen Kumar and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The Indians lead the five-match series 3-1, after taking an unbeatable lead in the series with a three-wicket victory last Saturday at the same venue.

The final ODI will be played on Thursday at Sabina Park in the Jamaica capital of Kingston.