POOR PITCH! - Pollard slams Kensington Oval pitch as West Indies fall to Australia

July 27, 2021
Australia batsman Alex Carey (right) plays a shot while West Indies wicketkeeper Shai Hope looks on during their third and final one-day international, at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday.
Australia batsman Alex Carey (right) plays a shot while West Indies wicketkeeper Shai Hope looks on during their third and final one-day international, at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday.
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Pollard
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West Indies captain Kieron Pollard didn't mince words as he highlighted the unacceptably poor condition of the Kensington Oval pitch, following the West Indies' six-wicket loss to Australia in the third and final one-day international which saw the home side losing the series 2-1.

The West Indies, who elected to bat after winning the toss, put up a paltry score of 152 all out in 45.1 overs with opener Evin Lewis top-scoring with an unbeaten 55 from 66 balls with five fours and three sixes.

Darren Bravo was the next best scorer for the home side with 18, as the West Indies could not cope once again with the efficient Australia bowling lead by Mitchell Starc who bagged three wickets for 43 runs. There were also two wickets each for Josh Hazelwood, Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa.

Matthew Wade then hit an unbeaten 51 from 52 balls with five fours and two sixes, to help the visitors over the line at 153 for four in 30.3 overs.

Captain Alex Carey chipped in with 35, while Mitchell Marsh got 29. Player-of-the-Match Agar was left not out on 19 with three fours, against a wicket each for Sheldon Cottrell, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph and Hayden Walsh Jr.

Pollard, who was himself disappointing with the bat in the series, getting just 69 runs in the three matches, said the pitch didn't help to bring out the best cricket from both teams.

"Coming here to Barbados, "I think both teams struggled with the bat on this surface and I think that's unacceptable for international cricket. We aren't going to give excuses. We accept the fact that we batted badly, but the scores in this series, with two top international sides, that's very embarrassing for us as people. Coming from St Lucia (to this), I think it's absolutely ridiculous," said Pollard.

The West Indies next play Pakistan in a T20 and Test series starting on Wednesday.

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