Kuala Lumpur, September 18 :

Captain Brian Lara hit a meticulous 87 runs to lead the West Indies to a three-wicket victory, overshadowing a maiden unbeaten century by his Australian counterpart, Mike Hussey, in the fourth one-day match.

Chasing Australia’s 272/6 in 50 overs, the West Indies made 273/7 in 47.2 overs after Lara and opener Chris Gayle (79) laid the foundation with a 151-run third-wicket partnership. Lara’s 87 in 80 balls comprised 11 boundaries and a six.

The West Indies were cruising toward victory until Lara got out in the 41st over to reduce his team to 242/4, which triggered a minor collapse as three more wickets fell for 13 runs. Carlton Baugh (7 not out) took the tension off with a boundary off Andrew Symonds. He and Dwayne Bravo (37 not out) saw the side safely through for the West Indies’ second win in the tournament.

The West Indies had won their first encounter, a rain-shortened match against India, on Thursday by 29 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method. The two victories have virtually assured the West Indies a place in the final, slated for September 24.

Earlier, Hussey hit an unbeaten 109 in 90 balls while Brad Haddin blasted a career best 70. Opener Matthew Hayden contributed 49.