At Melbourne, December 15 (day/night). Australia won by four runs. Toss: Australia. A remarkable collapse in which they lost their last seven wickets for 21 off 31 balls transformed what seemed certain West Indies victory into narrow defeat. The collapse was set in motion by Mark Waugh, who took five for 16. With the outfield sluggish, Australia had failed to muster an overall scoring-rate of four an over. Waugh made 57, which included five of the innings' seven fours as well as three early chances. West Indies seemed to be meeting their target comfortably as Lara and Richardson added 92 in 18 overs. When 12, Richardson reached 5,000 runs in one-day internationals. But once Lara was bowled, the first of Waugh's five victims, the effort went into swift decline. Australia's acting captain Taylor had won three of his four matches in charge, the other being tied.

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