Aussie pacers dominate West Indies in series opener

Gulf Today Report

A Mitchell Starc-led Australian pace attack demolished West Indies in the ODI series opener to hand Alexz Carey a winning debut as a captain on Wednesday.

After posting a fighting total of 252, Australia bundled out West Indies for 123 in 26.3 overs to register a comprehensive 133-run victory.

After a 4-1 mauling by the hosts in T20 series, Australia bounced back to take 1-0 lead in the ODIs. Carey led from the front with top score of 67, lifting his side to a to lift his side to 252 for nine.

West Indies were set a revised target of 257 in 49 over in the rain-marred match. Kieron Pollard gave West Indies a blazing start, putting a 67-run partnership for the first wicket before Starc and Josh Hazlewood wreaked a havoc.

It was Mitchell Marsh, who gave the Australia first break through by breaking the opening stand. But the first wicket opened the flood gates for a lurking Starc and Hazlewood.

Starc returned with a figure of 5-48 to complete his eighth five-wicket haul in ODIs while Hazlewood took three wickets as West Indies batting collapsed like a stack of playing cards.

Carey was stand-in skipper for injured Aaron Finch, who has been ruled out of the series with a niggling injury.