Australia back with a bang as they thrash W I Wednesday, September 13 2006 11:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
Kuala Lumpur:
Australia have returned to international cricket with a bang, sparking an embarrassing West Indies batting collapse to win their opening DLF Cup one-dayer here by 78 runs.
Set 280 to win at 5.6 runs an over, the West Indies looks to be cruising with Shivnarine Chanderpaul smashing a majestic 92 before it all goes badly wrong.
Making the most of some hapless early bowling from a rusty Australia, the left-hander cracks four sixes and 10 fours, putting together a first wicket partnership of 136 with Chris Gayle (58).
But once he goes, the West Indies loses their backbone.
They throws away nine wickets for just 29 runs as the Aussies run riot in their first international since touring Bangladesh in April.
Shane Watson takes 4-42 from eight overs while Glenn McGrath, returning from a self-imposed eight-month break to help his wife Jane fight breast cancer, ends with 1-30 off nine economical overs.
"It was pretty amazing really," says Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
"We did a good job with the bat and we always felt if you had to bat second in these humid conditions it would be difficult."
"Once we got those first few wickets we were on a roll. The wicket was very suited to seam bowling."
The West Indies has raced to 34-0 off the first eight overs with Chanderpaul in devastating form, hitting Nathan Bracken for 15 in one over then whacking him for 17 in another.
McGrath, 36, takes time to settle and find his length, bowling four wides in his first over, and he clearly does not like what he is doing as he yells in frustration.
But he soon finds a line and length and takes the wicket of Dwayne Bravo.
"Glenn was excellent in his second spell," says Ponting. "He came back and got a wicket. He'll only get better."
At the other end Chanderpaul and Gayle are helping themselves to runs all around the Kinrara Oval, first off Bracken and then off Mitchell Johnson, who is given a chance ahead of Brett Lee.
Johnson is touted as Australia's best faster bowling prospect since Lee and while he is smacked around he redeems himself by finally removing Chanderpaul.
The Guyanan looks set for a century before he top edges a rising delivery to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Brian Lara comes to the crease but lasts just three balls and is back in the pavilion for one.
It gives Australia a sniff of victory and they grab it with both hands, reducing the West Indies from 172-2 to 201 all out.
"It is difficult to comprehend but I guess these things happen," says Lara. "We've got to dig deep and put this one behind us."
Aggressive half-centuries from Michael Clarke (81) and Ponting (54) have earlier led their team to 279-9 after a shaky start.
Clarke brings up his 18th one-day 50 off 57 balls.
Ponting, who wins the toss and opts to bat, hits a brisk 54 at more than a run a ball after Phil Jaques has fallen cheaply.
West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor takes 3-59 with Ian Bradshaw and Dwayne Smith snaring two wickets apiece.
Australia opts for an experimental team, leaving Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Brad Hogg and Lee out of the side.
It gives an opportunity to Mark Cosgrove, Johnson and Daniel Cullen to prove their worth with the Champions Trophy in India next month and the Ashes in November.
The match is played in front of only a smattering of spectators as cricket authorities experiment with bringing the game to Southeast Asia.
The tri-series also features India who plays the West Indies on Thursday (14 Sep, 2006).
Australia
P. Jaques b Edwards 2
S. Katich c Bravo b Bradshaw 36
R. Ponting lbw Bradshaw 54
M. Clarke b Bravo 81
M. Cosgrove c Lara b Smith 34
S. Watson c Sarwan b Smith 2
B. Haddin b Taylor 23
N. Bracken b Taylor 1
M. Johnson b Tayor 15
D. Cullen not out 2
G. McGrath not out 1
Extras (lb 10, w 18) 27
Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 279
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-106, 3-122, 4-191, 5-205, 6-258, 7-258, 8-260, 9-276
Bowling: Bradshaw 10-0-36-2 (3w)
Edwards 6-0-38-1 (2w)
Gayle 8-1-37-0
Smith 9-1-41-2 (3w)
Taylor 10-0-59-3 (3w)
Bravo 7-0-60-1 (5w)
West Indies
S. Chanderpaul c Haddin b Johnson 92
C. Gayle c Ponting b Watson 58
B. Lara lbw b Johnson 1
R. Sarwan c Ponting b Watson 22
D. Bravo c Jaques b McGrath 8
W. Hinds c Haddin b Cosgrove 2
D. Smith c Haddin b Bracken 2
C. Baugh Jr c Haddin b Bracken 0
I. Bradshaw lbw Watson 0
J. Taylor b Watson 0
F. Edwards not out 0
Extras (lb 2, w7, nb 5) 14
Total (all out, 34.3 overs) 201
Fall of wickets: 1-136, 2-172, 3-176, 4-185, 5-196, 6-197, 7-198, 8-199, 9-199, 10-201
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