Pollard rescues West Indies with fighting ton

Sydney, Feb 8 (AFP) Kieron Pollard hit a belligerent unbeaten century to rescue the West Indies from another embarrassing total in the fourth one-day international against Australia today. Pollard scored 109 off 136 balls to lift the tourists to 220 before the innings ended with three balls left at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The towering middle-order batsman kept the West Indian innings from falling apart after it had tottered at 55 for six before a series of partnerships with the bowlers gave his side something to defend. It was Pollard's third ODI century and his second against Australia and he had to temper his usual aggressive batting style as the West Indies threatened to repeat their total of 70 in the first ODI of the series in Perth. Australia, who have already wrapped up the best-of-five match series with victories in Perth and Canberra, need 221 at 4.42 from their innings, under lights. Johnson Charles, one of three team changes, lasted three balls before he became Mitchell Johnson's first of three victims when he had his offstump sent cartwheeling out of the ground. His opening partner Kieran Powell followed in the eighth over, caught at point off a leading edge for nine with Johnson building up a head of steam and bowling with great rhythm. MORE (AFP) CM CM 02081448 NNNN