Australia beat West Indies by 50 runs in Gabba ODI, clinch series 3-0

Brisbane, Feb 14: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting’s century saw the home team crush West Indies by 50 runs in the fourth ODI at the Gabba on Sunday and clinch the five-match series 3-0.

The third game of the series was abandoned due to rain, and one left to be played in Melbourne on February 19.
 
Earlier in the day, West Indies skipper Chris Gayle won the toss and inexplicable decided to ball on what looked a fine batting wicket.

The decision backfired badly, as Ponting (106 off 112 deliveries) looked primed for an assault upon arriving at the crease and duly cruised to his 29th one-day hundred as the home side compiled a record 7 for 324.

Ponting struck six fours and two sixes in a dominant display, and put on 131 for the third wicket with Cameron White, who scored 63 off 78 balls.

Some late hitting from all-rounder James Hopes (42 off 21 balls) and Mike Hussey (23 off 17) then ensured Australia surpassed the 300-mark, Sky Sports reports.

Set an imposing target of 325, the tourists’ run chase finished well short on 274-8 despite half-centuries from Narsingh Deonarine, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith.

Pollard top-scored for the West Indies with 62 off 55 balls and along with Dwayne Smith (58 not out) combined for a 102-run partnership.

Australian fast bowlers Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris took two wickets each, with Bollinger dismissing Gayle yet again.

Brief scorecard: Australia 7 for 324 (Ponting 106, White 63)
West Indies 8 for 274 (Deonarine 53, Pollard 62, Smith 58 not out)