VB Series, (A/ P/ WI) 2004-05

At Adelaide, January 28, 2005. West Indies won by 58 runs. West Indies 5 pts, Pakistan 1 pt. Toss: Pakistan.

Almost single-handed, Lara lifted West Indies to their only win of the competition. Singlehanded was how he batted for much of the innings; his left wrist was recovering from a blow two weeks earlier. Though the attack was threadbare, the quality of Lara's performance - producing his 19th century in 250 one-day internationals - was heightened by difficult early conditions. With Sarwan retired hurt, West Indies were effectively 56 for three. But Lara and Chanderpaul patiently built a launchpad, then produced a rocket. Lara's first 50 took 81 balls, his second 36 and his third 19. Recalling the days when batting's upper class thought it unsporting to hit to leg, Lara avoided midwicket, striking four glorious sixes between point and cover, before a fifth over longon took him to 156 - like West Indies' eventual total of 339, a record for all one-day cricket at Adelaide. Knocked senseless, Pakistan never threatened.

Man of the Match: B. C. Lara. Attendance: 5,023.