Australia wins again

Melbourne: Australia comprehensively defeated West Indies by 125 runs in the fifth and final One-Day International cricket match here on Friday.

After half-centuries by Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting and James Hopes took the host to 324 for five, the side had no trouble dismissing the West Indies for 199.

Doug Bollinger continued his mastery over Chris Gayle, and thereafter triggered a top order collapse.

Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy averted a more disastrous batting display with breezy knocks.

Hopes's heroics

Earlier, Australia helped itself to a big score after Hopes's heroics down the order took the side past 300. Hopes smashed an unbeaten 26-ball 57 with 10 fours. Watson (51) and Ponting (61) made valuable contributions at the top.

The win ensured Australia remained unbeaten this summer in all three formats. Two Twenty20 games remain against West Indies.

SCOREBOARD

Australia: S. Watson c Smith b Sammy 51, B. Haddin b Pollard 32, R. Ponting c Ramdin b Pollard 61, M. Clarke c Deonarine b Rampaul 47, C. White c Ramdin b Rampaul 22, A. Voges (not out) 45, J. Hopes (not out) 57; Extras (lb-4, w-4, nb-1): 9. Total (for five wkts in 50 overs): 324.

Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-88, 3-192, 4-206, 5-242.

West Indies bowling: Rampaul 10-0-68-2, Smith 8-0-55-0, Miller 8-0-60-0, Sammy 10-0-51-1, Pollard 9-0-5s9-2, Gayle 3-0-17-0, N. Deonarine 2-0-10-0.

West Indies: C. Gayle c Clarke b Bollinger 14, T. Dowlin lbw b Bollinger 0, N. Deonarine b Harris 4, K. Pollard c Smith b Hopes 45, W. Hinds c Smith b Harris 5, L. Simmons c Clarke b Bollinger 29, D. Smith (run out) 21, D. Ramdin lbw b Smith 3, D. Sammy (not out) 47, N. Miller c Clarke b McKay 22, R. Rampaul st. Haddin b Smith 4; Extras (w-5): 5. Total (in 36.5 overs): 199.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-17, 3-19, 4-39, 5-80, 6-118, 7-124, 8-135, 9-190.

Australia bowling: Bollinger 7-1-33-3, Harris 7-2-26-2, McKay 7-1-35-1, Hopes 6-0-27-1, Smith 9.5-0-78-2 .