Shane Watson starred with both bat and ball as Australia claimed an eight-wicket victory in the opening Twenty20 international against the West Indies this morning (AEDT).
Watson belted 69 off just 43 balls after conceding a mere 16 runs off his four overs with the ball as Australia cruised to a victory target of 151 with 11 balls to spare at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.
Batting first the West Indies made a steady if unspectacular start, with Kieron Pollard providing some big-hitting in the final few overs to lift their total to 7 for 150.
Pollard smashed an unbeaten 54 off just 26 deliveries, scoring the fastest half-century by a West Indian in T20 cricket in the process.
The big all-rounder managed five sixes in his knock, including two off two balls in Xavier Doherty's third over.
But Watson (1 for 16) and Dan Christian (3 for 27) did the job with the ball to restrict the damage in a total that proved nowhere near enough.
The Windies made the perfect start with the ball, dismissing David Warner (0) in the first over before Watson and Michael Hussey (59 not out off 45) added 108 for the second wicket to put Australia in charge.
Watson emulated Pollard's innings, clobbering six sixes and five fours in his knock before falling in the 13th over.
But captain George Bailey (21 no) combined with Hussey in a well-constructed 45-run stand to close out the win with Bailey smashing a four off the first ball of the penultimate over to seal victory.
Bailey was thrilled to claim a win in his first match overseas as Australia's Twenty20 skipper.
"To lose one in the first over always puts you on edge a bit," Bailey said.
"But the class there of Shane and Huss, they suit each other perfectly I think. Watto clears the pickets and Huss just pierces the gaps so beautifully."
Disappointed Windies skipper Darren Sammy, who lost all-rounder Andre Russell for the two-game series before the match to a hamstring strain, hinted at changes for Friday's final game of the series.
Fast bowler Fidel Edwards was left out of the team on Tuesday and Sammy suggested he may feature in the second match in Barbados.
"We have one more game in Barbados and hope to change things there," he said.
"We might try to add some firepower to the bowling for the next game."
AAP
Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, australia, saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines First posted March 28, 2012 08:25:19
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