Lara blitz takes West Indians to thrilling win

West Indians 6 for 266 (Lara 116*) beat Australia A 8 for 263 (David Hussey 128, White 61) by 4 wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary

Brian Lara's sensational 116 from just 86 balls took the West Indians to a thrilling four-wicket win in their warm-up game against Australia A at Hobart. David Hussey had earlier made a splendid century and taken Australia A to a sizeable total, but the bowlers had no answers when Lara went on a rampage.

Chasing 264 for victory, the West Indians were struggling at 4 for 106 in the 25th over despite a breezy 40 from Chris Gayle. But Shivnarine Chanderpaul made a plucky 42 and along with Lara added 104 in quick time. Chanderpaul fell with 56 still required, but Lara ensured that the victory, and was unbeaten when the game was sealed. He smashed 11 fours and four sixes in his whirlwind knock and was particularly severe on the two spinners, Cameron White and Nathan Hauritz, who were taken for 78 in their combined ten overs.

Hussey's knock was also responsible for a recovery as Australia A rose from 3 for 25 to post a competitive 8 for 263 in their 50 overs. Hussey shared two vital partnerships, first adding 53 with Dominic Thornely (17) and then putting on 152 in just 114 balls with White, his team-mate at Victoria.

It was the second time in four days that Hussey had taken the West Indian attack apart after making an unbeaten 83 for Victoria in Wednesday's clash at the MCG. He finally fell in the final over attempting to hammer Dwayne Bravo for another big hit over mid-on. His 123-ball innings included 12 fours and a six.

Bravo finished as the most successful bowler with 4 for 42 from his 10 overs, while Reon King chipped in with two wickets.