Australia returned to international cricket with a bang on Tuesday, sparking an embarrassing West Indies batting collapse to win their opening DLF Cup one-dayer by 78 runs.
Set 280 to win at 5,6 runs an over, the West Indies looked to be cruising with Shivnarine Chanderpaul smashing a majestic 92 before it all went badly wrong.
Making the most of some hapless early bowling from a rusty Australia, the left-hander cracked four sixes and 10 fours, putting together a first wicket partnership of 136 with Chris Gayle (58).
But once he went, the West Indies lost their backbone.
They threw away nine wickets for just 29 runs as the Aussies ran riot in their first international since touring Bangladesh in April.
Shane Watson took 4-42 from eight overs while Glenn McGrath, returning from a self-imposed eight-month break to help his wife Jane fight breast cancer, ended with 1-30 off nine economical overs.
”It was pretty amazing, really,” said 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 had 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) took time to settle and find his length, bowling four wides in his first over, and he clearly did not like what he was doing as he yelled in frustration.
But he soon found a line and length and took the wicket of Dwayne Bravo.
”Glenn was excellent in his second spell,” said Ponting. ”He came back and got a wicket. He’ll only get better.”
At the other end, Chanderpaul and Gayle were helping themselves to runs all around the Kinrara Oval, first off Bracken and then off Mitchell Johnson, who was given a chance ahead of Brett Lee.
Johnson is touted as Australia’s best faster-bowling prospect since Lee, and while he was smacked around, he redeemed himself by finally removing Chanderpaul.
The Guyanan looked set for a century before he top edged a rising delivery to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Brian Lara came to the crease but lasted just three balls and was back in the pavilion for one.
It gave Australia a sniff of victory and they grabbed 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,” said Lara.
”We’ve got to dig deep and put this one behind us.”
Aggressive half-centuries from Michael Clarke (81) and Ponting (54) had earlier led their team to 279-9 after a shaky start.
Clarke brought up his 18th one-day 50 off 57 balls.
Ponting, who won the toss and opted to bat, hit a brisk 54 at more than a run a ball after Phil Jaques had fallen cheaply.
West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor took 3-59 with Ian Bradshaw and Dwayne Smith snaring two wickets apiece.
Australia opted for an experimental team, leaving Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Brad Hogg and Lee out of the side.
It gave 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 was played in front of only a smattering of spectators as cricket authorities experiment with bringing the game to south-east Asia.
The tri-series also features India, who play the West Indies on Thursday. — AFP
