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West Indies 2 for 129 (Powell 47, Darren Bravo 37*, Dwayne Bravo 20*) v Australia 7 for 329 (Watson 122, Hughes 86)
West Indies twice lost wickets just when strong partnerships were being formed before Darren and Dwayne Bravo steadied the visitors at 2 for 129 in pursuit of 330 for victory in the third ODI at Manuka Oval.
Australia's bowlers had difficulty forcing breakthroughs, so much so that the captain Michael Clarke brought himself on to deliver some slow left-arm after not choosing the spinner Xavier Doherty in the XI, meaning the West Indies were not without hope of chasing their distant target.
Devon Thomas and Kieran Powell both made starts at the top of the order after Chris Gayle was demoted in the batting order due to a side injury picked up while fielding. Australia also had an injury problem, George Baiely off the field due to a tight hamstring.
Thomas and Powell were conservative to begin with but played some handsome strokes to reach 50 inside nine overs, Mitchell Starc not gaining much swing and becoming a far more hittable bowler as a result. However Thomas' stay was ended when he miscued Clint McKay.
Powell threatened a more lasting stay before he too failed to find the middle of the bat, top edging a sweep at Glenn Maxwell that was held in agile fashion by Matthew Wade, running around from behind the stumps.
The Bravo brothers were soon looking comfortable however, and Gayle's lower order posting was feeling less a handicap than a potential blessing.
West Indies twice lost wickets just when strong partnerships were being formed before Darren and Dwayne Bravo steadied the visitors at 2 for 129 in pursuit of 330 for victory in the third ODI at Manuka Oval.
Australia's bowlers had difficulty forcing breakthroughs, so much so that the captain Michael Clarke brought himself on to deliver some slow left-arm after not choosing the spinner Xavier Doherty in the XI, meaning the West Indies were not without hope of chasing their distant target.
Devon Thomas and Kieran Powell both made starts at the top of the order after Chris Gayle was demoted in the batting order due to a side injury picked up while fielding. Australia also had an injury problem, George Baiely off the field due to a tight hamstring.
Thomas and Powell were conservative to begin with but played some handsome strokes to reach 50 inside nine overs, Mitchell Starc not gaining much swing and becoming a far more hittable bowler as a result. However Thomas' stay was ended when he miscued Clint McKay.
Powell threatened a more lasting stay before he too failed to find the middle of the bat, top edging a sweep at Glenn Maxwell that was held in agile fashion by Matthew Wade, running around from behind the stumps.
The Bravo brothers were soon looking comfortable however, and Gayle's lower order posting was feeling less a handicap than a potential blessing.