Bravo, Sarwan lead Windies to win in lost series

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KINGSTON: Darren Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan led the West Indies to a comfortable seven-wicket win over India in the final encounter of their five-match one-day international series on Thursday.

With India having already clinched the series by winning the first three games, West Indies were able to finish off with a second straight win which delighted a lively crowd at Sabina Park.

With former skipper Chris Gayle watching in the crowd in green-framed sunglasses, there was a relaxed mood for a game which meant little to India.

The Caribbean side had exactly the same sequence of results in their recent ODI series against Pakistan, with a pair of wins after the series was gone.

This time, though, they will take encouragement from the performances of batsmen Sarwan (75) and Bravo (86) as well as a bowler ahead of Monday's first test.

Andre Russell, who won acclaim for his hard-hitting batting in the last game in Antigua, continued to establish his credentials as a genuine all-rounder with an impressive spell of 4-35.

Virat Kohli's 94 off 104 balls, on a good batting track in the Jamaican capital, was the heart of the Indian innings including a 110-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (57).

But West Indies took the last seven wickets for just 62 runs as India failed to use all their alloted 50 overs and set a target which was always achievable on such a kind surface.

The hosts, though, have made a habit of struggling when chasing down targets and when they lost opener Lendl Simmons (6) early, trouble looked on the cards.

Sarwan then produced his best innings since returning to the team -- batting with intelligence and tidiness -- before he had to retire with cramp.

Bravo, whose promise has long been heralded, delivered his best score in international cricket -- the left-hander hitting three fours and six sixes.

West Indies needed to get a move on given they had left themselves 80 to get from the last 10 overs and when Bravo was stumped off Amit Mishra, leaving his foot right on the crease but with nothing grounded behind, nerves began to show.

Marlon Samuels (28 not out) and Kieron Pollard (24 not out) easily guided them home, however.

Samuels celebrated the winning runs by dashing to the stands to shake hands with fellow Jamaican and former skipper Gayle -- a move that might not win him appreciation in all quarters of the Caribbean.

Now the focus turns to the five-day game and West Indies, who have struggled against spin all through their home series against Pakistan and India, will now need to give great thought to their selection.

Gayle seemed happy enough in the 'party stand' with friends but it remains to be seen whether he watches the first test from that vantage point or if peace is finally made between him and the selectors. (AFP)