West Indies skipper Chris Gayle (centre) congratulates batsmen Marlon Samuels (left) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul after they shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 107 that took the West Indies to victory in the second one-day international against Sri Lanka at Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad, on Saturday. - Photo by Dellmar

MARLON SAMUELS was at his belligerent best, scoring an unbeaten half century which carried the West Indies to a one-day series win over Sri Lanka last Saturday at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad.

Samuels, who had struggled in previous matches, showed he had returned to form when he bashed Chaminda Vaas for consecutive fours and then hooked Chamara Kapugedera for a six over midwicket, then another at long on.

It was with this performance that the right-handed Samuels, who has scored 2,513 runs in 107 ODIs, was named The Gleaner's Top Performer of the Week.

Samuels, who plays for Melbourne in the local competition, along with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, rescued the West Indies from 18 for three with an unbroken 107-run fourth-wicket stand as the hosts won by seven wickets. The West Indies were racing towards their target and Samuels made sure of it with another huge six off Sri Lanka's mystery spinner, Ajantha Mendis, one of the most consistent bowlers on the night.

In the end, Samuels made 54 not out off 49 balls, hitting three sixes and as many fours while Chanderpaul made 52.