Australia cruise home

It took Australia until the 27th over on the final morning to reach the target of 78 set by the West Indies, but they lost just the single wicket in the process.

Matthew Hayden led the charge with an attacking innings of 46, while Hussey played a more sedate role as he looked to avoid a cheap dismissal and strengthen his chance of selection in the final test at Adelaide. Along the way, Hayden brought up a remarkable milestone when we reached 1,000 runs in a calendar year for the fifth consecutive time, having made four centuries in consecutive tests for the second time earlier in this very match.

The West Indian bowlers were fairly disciplined in defending such a small target, but on a lifeless pitch with only 78 runs to back them, there was little the seamers could do. Matthew Hayden levelled the scores before he was dimissed going for a bit hit off Gayle to end the match, and Hussey hit the winning run in the next over.

The victory is Australia’s 6th international win in succession following the Ashes loss, after sweeping the Super Series, and there is much to be pleased with from an Austalian perspective, with strong performances from Mike Hussey and Brad Hodge. The West Indies will take heart from the resistance that Bravo and Ramdin offered on the fourth day, from what has otherwise been a miserable series.

West Indies 149
Chris Gayle 56, Shivnarine Chanderpaul 39
Glenn McGrath 4/31, Stuart MacGill 3/18

Australia 406
Michael Hussey 137, Matthew Hayden 110
Fidel Edwards 3/116, Corey Collymore 2/54

West Indies 334
Dwayne Bravo 113, Dinesh Ramdin 71
Shane Warne 4/112, Glenn McGrath 2/29

Australia 1/78
Matthew Hayden 46, Michael Hussey 31*
Chris Gayle 1/16

Australia win by 9 wickets.
Australia lead the 3 test series 2-0

CricketWeb Player of the Match
Michael Hussey – 137 and 31*