Brisbane: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting scored his 29^th ODI hundred as Australia crushed West Indies by 50 runs in the fourth ODI at the Gabba to clinch the five-match series 3-0.

West Indies skipper Chris Gayle won the toss and to everyone’s surprise, opted to ball first on what seemed like a perfectly good batting wicket. The decision backfired for the tourists as Ponting (106 off 112 balls) notched up his 29^th ODI hundred to help Australia post a mammoth 324 for 7 and ensure that they remain unbeaten this summer.

Ponting smashed 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.

A late assault by James Hopes (42 off 21 balls) and Mike Hussey (23 off 17) ensured Australia surpassed the 300-mark.

Chasing an imposing target of 325, the tourists’ run chase finished well short on 274-8 despite half-centuries from Narsingh Deonarine (53), 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 but it wasn’t enough as the tourists fell short by 50-runs.

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

The third game of the series was abandoned due to rain, and one left to be played is in Melbourne on February 19.

Match Summary:

Australia 7 for 324 (Ponting 106, White 63) beat West Indies 8 for 274 (Deonarine 53, Pollard 62, Smith 58*) by 50 runs

Man of the Match: Ricky Ponting

Tagged with: Australia, Brisbane, Chris Gayle, Doug Bollinger, Dwayne Smith, Kieron Pollard, Mike Hussey, Narsingh Deonarine, Ricky Ponting, Ryan Harris, West Indies

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