Half-centuries from Shane Watson and Michael Hussey steered Australia to a relatively comfortable eight-wicket win over the West Indies in the first Twenty20 International in Saint Lucia.
Kieron Pollard had earlier smashed 54 not out in 26 balls to haul the home side up to score of 150 for seven but Australia reached their target with 11 balls to spare.
Watson blasted 69 in 43 balls and Hussey's unbeaten 59 came from 45 balls and it was captain George Bailey, unbeaten on 21 in 17 balls, who hit the winning runs.
Batting first, the West Indies lost Dwayne Smith (10) early and although Johnson Charles hit a brisk 24 in 16 balls, Nkrumah Bonner struggled, labouring over 24 in 33 balls.
Darren Bravo (12), Dwayne Bravo (14), Darren Sammy (7) and Carlton Baugh (1) then fell as they looked for quick runs to get their side a defendable total and it was left to Pollard to hit the big blows that kept them in the game.
He muscled two fours and five sixes as the wickets fell around him, Daniel Christian returning three for 27 and Brett Lee two for 30.
Australia's reply got off to a poor start when David Warner was bowled by Krishmar Santokie without scoring - the West Indies' tactics of opening with two spinners working well - but thereafter they dominated.
Watson, who struck five fours and six sixes, added 108 in 11.5 overs with Hussey, effectively batted the West Indies out of the game.
His dismissal came in the 13th over when he was caught by Pollard off of Garey Mathurin but that merely set the stage for Hussey and Bailey to guide Australia to victory.
The second and final match is in Barbados on 30th March.



Keywords: Shane Watson , Michael Hussey,Saint Lucia,Kieron Pollard , captain George Bailey,Johnson Charles, Nkrumah Bonner ,Darren Bravo ,Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy,Carlton Baugh, Daniel Christian,Krishmar Santokie,Garey Mathurin cricket news, sports news