Adams weights his turn

The makeshift spinner Jimmy Adams took five wickets in a career-best haul as the West Indies ended a run of seven defeats with an emphatic seven-wicket limited overs win against Pakistan in Adelaide yesterday.

The wicketkeeper and part-time opener Junior Murray ensured Adams' efforts were not wasted by smashing a rapid 86 off 79 balls to steer his side to victory with almost 14 overs to spare in the World Series match. After dismissing Pakistan for 176 in 48.4 overs, the West Indies reached 177 for 3 in 36.1 overs as Murray equalled his best score in one-day cricket.

The West Indies, who lost their opening two World Series fixtures and the first two Test matches against Australia, responded positively to a threat from the tour manager, Clive Lloyd, to introduce fresh faces unless the slide was reversed.

Adams, a left-arm orthodox spinner, proved an unlikely inspiration with the ball, claiming the key wickets of Inzamam-ul-Haq and the Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, among his victims in a 10-over spell that cost 37 runs. The opener Zahoor Elahi provided the only resistance with a patient 51 before being run out after a smart piece of fielding by Brian Lara, who scored an unbeaten 31 in the West Indies' reply.

WORLD SERIES (Adelaide): Pakistan 176 (Zahoor Elahi 51; J C Adams 5-37); West Indies 177 for 3 (J R Murray 86). West Indies win by seven wickets. Standings: 1 Australia (P3 Pts4); 2 Pakistan (2-2); 3 West Indies (3-2).