LARAMELBOURNE (Reuters):
WEST INDIES captain Brian Lara stroked an unbeaten 116 to lead his side to a four-wicket win over Australia A in their limited-overs warm-up match in Hobart yesterday.
The stylish lefthander faced just 86 balls, hitting 12 fours and four sixes including one to mid-on off paceman Brett Lee which went through a tree and on to a nearby road.
Lara added 104 for the fifth wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (42) as West Indies reached 266 for eight from 48.4 overs in reply to Australia A's 263 for eight from 50.
West Indies paceman Dwayne Bravo took four for 42 while David Hussey scored 128 from 123 balls for Australia A.
Opener Chris Gayle scored a brisk 40 (off 32 balls) for the tourists but Wavell Hinds (9), teenager Xavier Marshall (11) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (18) all fell cheaply.
WINNING BOUNDARY
Marlon Samuels was bowled by Lee for five before wicketkeeper Courtney Browne hit the winning boundary with eight balls to spare.
Lara said the win was an important boost for the tourists after their seven-wicket loss to Victoria in their opening game in Melbourne on Wednesday.
"It's nice to do it in the second match, to get a hundred and show the guys what is necessary for us to win," the 35-year-old Lara said.
West Indies, who have had a three-month break since winning the ICC Champions Trophy in September, play Australia in Melbourne on January 14 in the opening match of a triangular one-day tournament also involving Pakistan.
"We've always had the players but it's about harnessing the talent and getting it working cohesively towards winning and hopefully (new coach Bennett King) will be capable of doing it," Lara said.
"We know we're playing against the world champions Australia, while Pakistan is a very good outfit, although unpredictable at times.
EXPECTING VICTORY
"But we came here to win and we'd be disappointed if we don't."
West Indies will play Australia A in Hobart again today, but Lara will miss the game to return to Melbourne in preparation for tomorrow's Indian Ocean tsunami charity match between the Rest of the World XI and the Asian XI.
