Pollard rescues West Indies in 4th ODI - Sydney Morning Herald

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Middle-order batsman Kieron Pollard rescued the West Indies from another embarrassment in the fourth one-day international (ODI) at the SCG on Friday, but the tourists still face a tough ask to deny Australia a 4-0 series lead.

The West Indies were 6-55 in the 20th over but, thanks to Pollard's inspired century, they rallied to be all out for 220 in the final over and set Australia a target of 221 to win.

Pollard came to the crease with the Windies reeling at 3-17 in the eighth over, but survived the carnage around him to post 109 not out from 136 balls.

The dynamic allrounder has struggled for form in the ODI series, but burst to life on Friday to bring up his third one-day hundred in the second-last over, finishing with 11 boundaries and two sixes.

Unfortunately, it's too little too late for the West Indies this summer, who have already lost the five-match series and face a series clean-sweep if they can't lift on Friday and win in Melbourne on Sunday.

However, Pollard has at least inspired some hope for the Sydney match - passionately pumping his fist towards teammates in the dressing room when he brought up his ton.

Fast bowler Mitchell Johnson (3-36) tore through the brittle Windies top order, and had figures of 3-11 after his first four overs.

The first innings was following a similar script to game one last week in Perth, when the Windies collapsed to be all out for 70 in just 24 overs.

In that match, Australia - led by Glenn Maxwell - gobbled up the target in just 9.2 overs and 42 minutes.

The West Indies were more competitive in game two in Perth and game three in Canberra, but so far have been comprehensively outclassed in all matches.

Johnson clean-bowled Johnson Charles for a duck in the fourth over, before getting rid of Kieran Powell and Darren Bravo in the eighth.

Maxwell had Dwayne Bravo lbw on a smart decision review - with replays confirming the ball pitched in line and would have crashed into the stumps.

Queensland quick Ben Cutting (3-45) also bagged three wickets, after being called in as a replacement for the rested Mitchell Starc.

Vice-captain George Bailey was ruled out of the match with a minor hamstring strain, and was replaced by Adam Voges.