Martyn and Hogg leave WI in a spin

World Champions Australia sunk the Champion's Trophy winners West Indies by 116 runs in the first game of the VB Series. A brilliant unbeaten 95 by Damien Martyn and well-struck half-centuries by Michael Clarke and captain Ponting powered the hosts the a commanding score of 301/4. In reply, the West Indian batsmen collapsed against pace and spin alike, to be bowled out for 185.

The West Indies, playing their first competitive game since the Champion's Trophy final, started promisingly and looked sharp in the field. Adam Gilchrist (0) was caught almost unbelievably by Bravo, diving full-stretch at midwicket to make the one-handed grab off Bradshaw's bowling. The very next ball saw Ponting edging behind, but the ball dropped well short of wicketkeeper Browne. Indeed, Ponting looked extremely shaky early on against some disciplined bowling from the West Indian openers.

Whilst Bradshaw was the more consistent of the openers, Mervyn Dillon also started steadily. His rhythm was thrown off soon enough though, due the flashing blade of Michael Clarke. Clarke was drafted into the team to open the batting in the absence of Matthew Hayden, and he made no nervous task of it.

Attacking the ball Clarke was dropped, a fairly difficult chance, by Marshall at cover point on 8. That did nothing to deter him, and took 3 fours off the next Bradshaw over. It was then Ponting's turn. He on-drove Dillon for four and then smashed a poorly-lined delivery over the midwicket ropes.

The two looked near unstoppable for a period, as the score jumped from 18/1 after 6 overs to a 80/1 after 15. Clarke's half-century took just 53 balls to accomplish. Ponting's was quicker at 50 balls, but the ball after his celebration was his partner's downfall. Michael Clarke was bowled between bat and pad by a big spinner from Samuels for 66.

In sublime form over the past year, Damien Martyn eased into his stride with consecutive boundaries off the out-of-sorts Chris Gayle. The late entry of Bravo to the attack - 5th change - saw some slowing of the momentum, but by the end of the 40th over Australia had posted 213/3.

The third wicket to fall was indeed during the 40th over, Ricky Ponting run out by a very good return from Gayle in the deep. Ponting scored 78 off 92 balls, hitting 5 fours and 1 six. The final 10 overs would produce 88 runs and the wicket of Symonds (20). By the end of the allotment, Martyn had faced 93 balls for his 95 and Lehmann 14 balls for 20 - Australia 301/4.

In all Lara used 7 bowlers, but only Bradshaw (2/46), Samuels (1/45) and Bravo (0/44) were truly effective.

The West Indies innings met the worst possible start. Chris Gayle was adjudged LBW to Brett Lee (3/36) before he could score. As such Lee began with a wicket-maiden. In the 4th over Australia was in the act again and Symonds ran out Wavell Hinds for 5.

An over later Sarwan was disappointingly caught behind for 4. Joining the man for the crisis, debutant Xavier Marshall met captain Lara in the middle. He was off the mark first ball and later produced a stunning on-drive for four. That would be the extent of him impact though, and Marshall was caught behind off a quick delivery from Lee two balls after his boundary effort.

From 33/4, the experience of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara was forced into play. Lara tried to remain positive against the bowlers, but the runs did not flow sufficiently to maintain the required run rate. By the 17th over, the ask was over 7 runs per over.

Continuing his positive stride, Lara reached his 50 from 62 balls and then was out attacking the spin of Brad Hogg for 58. The left-hander succeeded in smashing a half-volley into the lap of Symonds at cover - 131/5. It was to be the first of 5 wicket for Hogg on the day, as he proceeded to the Man of the Match award.

Chanderpaul (46), Samuels (9) and Bravo (3) perished to his wiles, then the wicket of Bradshaw (12) sealed the bundle. It was then a bingo game as to who would seal the win, and it would prove Michael Kasprowicz. Dillon (6) was last out, leaving Courtney Browne unbeaten on 20.

Brad Hogg finished with superb career-best figures of 5 for 32.

Score Summary:

Australia innings 301/4 (50 overs)
DR Martyn 95 not out (93), RT Ponting 78 (92), MJ Clarke 66 (77)
IDR Bradshaw 2/46 (10), MN Samuels 1/45 (10)

West Indies innings 185 ao (46.2 overs)
BC Lara 58 (68), S Chanderpaul 46 (73)
GB Hogg 5/32 (10), B Lee 3/36 (10)

Result: Australia won by 116 runs
Man of the Match: GB Hogg (Aus)

Posted by Liam