Melbourne: Before the beginning of the ODI series, West Indies skipper Chris Gayle had predicted a 4-1 scoreline in favour of West Indies. Well, it turned out to be almost exactly the opposite, with Australia beating West Indies in the final one-dayer by 125 runs to complete a 4-0 series win with one match being washed out by rain.

Chasing a difficult target of 325 to win, West Indies were bowled out for just 199 in 36.5 overs, once again failing to bat out their quota of 50 overs. Left arm speedster Doug Bollinger was the pick of the Aussie bowlers with figures of 3-33 while fellow speedster Ryan Harris and off-spinner Steven Smith picked up two wickets each.

The visitors were never in the chase after losing Travis Dowlin on the second ball of their innings. Skipper Chris Gayle also fell soon, for just 14 runs. After that, the wickets fell like nine pins and soon the Windies found themselves tottering at 135 for 8.

As has been the case throughout the series, the visitors’ only true resistance came in the form of Kieron Pollard (45) but that wasn’t good enough to take them anywhere near the Australian total. Fast bowler Darren Sammy provided some entertainment to the crowd, scoring a quick-fire 47 off just 41 balls, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end.

Earlier, an unbeaten 57 off just 26 balls by James Hopes and solid half centuries by Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting lifted Australia to a commanding 324 for five.

The 125-run triumph maintained Australia’s chances of going through the summer undefeated in all forms of the game, with just two Twenty20s against West Indies to be played. They have already equalled their effort of 2000-01, the only other home season when they did not lose a Test or ODI. Back then, the team boasted Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh, and faced West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Match Summary:

Australia 5 for 324 (Ponting 61, Hopes 57*, Watson 51) beat West Indies 199 (Sammy 47, Bollinger 3-33) by 125 runs

Man of the Match: James Hopes

Man of the Series: Ricky Ponting

Tagged with: Australia, Chris Gayle, Doug Bollinger, Keiron Pollard, Melbourne, Ricky Ponting, Ryan Harris, West Indies

Related News Headlines

• Ponting’s ton seals the series for Australia
• Australia continue winning run, thrash West Indies by 113 runs
• Benn picks up five as West Indies take lead
• Ryan Harris replaces Brett Lee in World T20
• Brett Lee ruled out of World T20
• Gayle admits to being Bollinger’s bunny
• Team conduct leaves Ponting “embarrassed”
• Referral system just needs more refinement, is good for the game: Ricky Ponting
• Gayle stands tall as West Indies build lead
• Gayle shuts up critics, says won’t quit captaincy

Cricketain Latest

• ODI fixture: India vs England 2011
• CLT20 revised Schedule
• Issues with Indo-Pak series
• England takes pride in whitewash
• England toy with India bowling
• ENG vs IND 4th test, day 1, STUMPS
• IND vs ENG 3rd test, day 2, STUMPS
• England dominated India again
• Boycott: India played like Bangladesh
• Afridi wants Pak President to intervene