GROS ISLET (ST LUCIA), Mar 28:
Australia romped to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first Twenty20 cricket international, led by allrounder Shane Watson slamming 69 off 43 balls and taking 1-16 from four overs.
Watson lashed five boundaries and six sixes at Beausejour Stadium to guide Australia to 153-2 from 18.1 overs after West Indies had been restricted to 150-7.
Michael Hussey contributed an unbeaten 59 off 45 deliveries, adding 107 runs with Watson after David Warner went for a duck on the fifth ball of the innings with Australia yet to score.
Earlier, Kieron Pollard cracked five sixes and two fours in an undefeated 54 off 39 balls.
Watson’s misersly spell with the ball backed up the good work from Daniel Christian (3-27) and Brett Lee (2-30).
The second and final match in the series is in Barbados on Friday.
Australia’s pursuit made a horrid start when Warner was bowled playing across the line when facing Krishmar Santokie. But Watson, Australia’s one-day international captain, quickly put the pressure back on West Indies with some superb strokes all around the ground. He raced to 50 off 38 balls to silence a big crowd of close to 11,000 people.
Hussey played the anchor role, only flourishing after Watson fell to ensure West Indies didn’t gain any momentum. He reached his 50 off 40 deliveries, and finished with four fours and two sixes.
Captain George Bailey struck the winning runs, helping himself to an unbeaten 21 off 17 balls.
In West Indies’ innings, Pollard’s big hitting lifted what looked like being a pedestrian total to respectability. His 50 came off only 20 deliveries and he shared a partnership of 62 off 29 balls with Dwayne Bravo, who contributed 14. (Agencies)
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