Tuesday May 13, 1:10 PM

WINDIES BREAK `UNREACHABLE` RECORD

Australia 240 & 417 v West Indies 240 & 418-7
West Indies won by 3 wickets
Australia win the series 3-1
Fourth Test, Antigua, day five

West Indies have done it!! In denying Australia a  first-ever Caribbean whitewash, Brian Lara's side achieved their target of 418 - the highest ever fourth innings score to win a Test - to win the fourth and final Test by three wickets. 

The amazing total beats the previous record of 406 for four set by India against West Indies in Port of Spain in 1975-76. 

The astounding victory, gained against the world's best bowling attack, saved the West Indies from their first ever test whitewash on home territory in 73 years of cricket in the Caribbean. Australia won the series 3-1. 

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Omari Banks started the last day with the West Indies on 371 for six, 47 short of the 418 needed for victory. 

Chanderpaul was out for 104 after adding just one to his overnight score but Banks hung on for a battling unbeaten 47 and Vasbert Drakes made 27 not out to steer the Windies to an historic triumph.

	Lara and Dillon celebrate

West Indies resumed their chase on 371 for six but their victory hopes were swiftly dealt a significant blow when Lee tempted Chanderpaul, who had scored freely and with menace on Monday, to fish outside off stump.

Lee was bowling round the wicket, but angled his delivery in to tempt the left-hander, who was on 104 but nursing a broken finger, into playing a stroke and the West Indies were reduced to 372 for seven.

But Banks showed a maturity beyond his years and at 20 looks another of the West Indies' bright batting prospects. He continued to take the attack to Australia as Waugh tried all his options, bringing on the nagging line and length of Glenn McGrath and Stuart MacGill's leg-spin.

But it was to no avail as the Windies gained something from a series which had threatened to leave them at their lowest ebb since Australia broke their home stranglehold with a series victory in 1995.

Indeed, Australia had won nine consecutive matches against the West Indies, but Banks and Drakes were having none of it and defied an attack that has a reputation for blitzing tail-enders.

Banks: Cool customer

Lee was fast and aggressive but, perhaps as a pointer to the future, McGrath was held back until the West Indies were within touching distance of victory.

When introduced, he could not force the required breakthrough and neither could MacGill, who was smashed for giant six by Drakes and then conceded the final boundary as the delirious Antiguan fans spilled onto the field with joy.

It was a boundary that denied Australia their clean sweep, even though Waugh's troops will return home with the Frank Worrell trophy after a 3-1 series win.

The highest fourth innings totals to win a Test match 
 
418-7  (set 418)  West Indies v Australia  St Johns 2003
406-4  (set 403)  India v West Indies Port of Spain 1975/76
404-3  (set 404)  Australia v England Leeds   1948
369-6  (set 369)  Australia v Pakistan Hobart  1999/00
362-7  (set 359)  Australia v West Indies Georgetown 1977/78
348-5  (set 345)  West Indies v New Zealand  Auckland 1968/69
344-1  (set 342)  West Indies v England Lord's  1984
342-8  (set 339)  Australia v India Perth   1977/78
340-5  (set 335)  South Africa v Australia Durban  2001/02
336-5  (set 336)  Australia v South Africa Durban  1949/50