BRISBANE: A convincing 50-run win at
the Gabba on Sunday saw Australia clinch the Commonwealth Bank series against
the West Indies. Set an imposing target of 325 after Rick Ponting’s
sparkling century in the first innings, the tourists never looked like reaching
the record score at the ground. However, to their credit, they did manage to bat
through the whole 50 overs, reaching 274/8.

Scorecard

Twenty20
specialist Kieron Pollard top-scored for the Windies with a quick-fire 62 off 55
and along with Dwayne Smith (58 not out) combined for a 102-run
partnership.

Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris both took two wickets,
with Bollinger dismissing Windies skipper Chris Gayle yet again. Top-scoring
with 106 from 112 balls, Ponting’s 29th One-day century was his first in
Brisbane and helped Australia onto the highest ODI score ever seen at the
ground.

Ponting’s clinical innings contained just six
boundaries and two sixes but was characterised by two crucial partnerships. A
52-run second-wicket stand with fellow Tasmanian Tim Paine (24) was followed by
a 131-run combination with Cameron White, who made an impressive 63 from 78
balls.

Mike Hussey (23 off 17) and James Hopes (42 off 21) helped the
hosts reach their mammoth total with some late power hitting as the West Indies
pace attack watched in horror as the scoreboard ticked over
300.

Taking a nasty hit to the back of the head, White was cleared of
any serious damage after going for an X-ray at a local Brisbane
hospital.

Beginning their run chase, Gayle blasted six boundaries in
the first five overs. But that was as testing as things got for Australia.
Gayle’s 34 from 21 – his highest score in the series, continued his woes
as Bollinger’s bunny.