Samuels' century powers West Indies to 321/6

Marlon Samuels struck a superb unbeaten century to fire the West Indies to an impressive 321 for six in 50 overs against India in the first ODI of their five-match series at the Nehru Stadium here Wednesday.

Samuels struck a crafty 126 not out off 116 deliveries, his sixth ODI hundred, as West Indies batsmen plundered the Indian bowling after being put in by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Samuels' 116-ball innings was studded with 11 fours and four sixes. Denesh Ramdin also made 61 while Dwayne Smith scored 46. Recalled for the series against India after being dropped for the recent tour to Bangladesh, Samuels scored freely and posted 165 for the fourth wicket with Ramdin, who struck five fours and two sixes in his 59 ball innings.

West Indies started the innings with skipper Dwayne Bravo (17) promoting himself up the order to open with Smith. But the move failed as the all-rounder was dismissed in the 8th over with 34 runs on board after scoring just 17 runs.

However, Smith and stylish left-hander Darren Bravo (28) added 64 for the second wicket to give the West Indies a stable start. Smith struck four fours and two sixes during his 45-ball stay but both the batsmen fell in quick succession to leave the West Indies at 120 for three in the 23rd over.

Samuels and Ramdin then took control of the innings to lead a Caribbean onslaught that left the Indian bowling unit look like a hapless lot.

For India, pacer Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers, bagging four for 66 from his nine overs while spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra picked up a wicket each. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the most economical, conceding 38 runs from his full quota of 10 overs.