Australia v West Indies commentary

AUS win D/L method Australia have won by 17 runs according to the Duckworth Lewis method. Rain has the final say in this match, after Windies scored a massive 191. Australians were up to the task in the chase, scoring 100 for 1 from 9.1 overs before the rain poured down. In the end, Australia were declared winners and Shane Watson was the man of the match.

Rain stopped play Out of nowhere, down comes the rain, to stop the play in the middle of the Rampaul. over. This will help the West Indies if it stops soon, it will give them time to regroup. But Australia are 17 runs ahead of the Duckworth Lewis par score, so they will feel comfortable at this point.

Over 9.1 AUS 100/1 (Watson 41, Hussey 28) Rampaul comes back to bowl his second, his first went for 22 runs. The single brings up the hundred for the Aussies, and at a good rate too.

Over 9 AUS 99/1 (Watson 40, Hussey 28) Bravo into the attack, lots of bowling options for Sammy. Hussey quietly picks up a single and gives the strike to Watson. Hussey pulls this one for a safe four on the leg side, a very good shot. Bravo finishes a good over in the context. Australia 99 for 1.

Over 8 AUS 91/1 (Watson 38, Hussey 22) Samuels introduced into the attack. Watson picks that one from outside off and places it on the leg for four, a very good shot from him. Rampaul tries to catch that one, but it sails over him at long on for a big six. Smith spills this one over the boundary to give Watson another six, a bit lucky for the batsmen. Watson sweeps this one for a four, what an over this is for the Aussies.

Over 7 AUS 69/1 (Watson 17, Hussey 21) Australia have started well, now can the keep the run rate going. Sammy looking to take the pace off the ball, making it difficult for the batsmen to work him away for runs. A good over from Sammy is undone by a four from Hussey. Seven from it.

Over 6 AUS 62/1 (Watson 15, Hussey 16) Narine to continue. No ball from Narine, a spinner should really not overstep. Free hit put away by Watson for a big six, a very good shot, making the most of the free hit. Australia get 62 from the powerplay.

Over 5 AUS 50/1 (Watson 5, Hussey 15) Sammy comes in to the attack. Just bowling some dot balls and fielding well will create some pressure on the batsmen. Hussey picks this one up nicely for a six, a really good shot. A much needed six from Hussey. 50 for 1 after 5 overs.

Over 4 AUS 42/1 (Watson 2, Hussey 6) Sammy introduces a change in the form of Narine. Ramdin standing up to the stumps. A quiet over from the spinner as he causes problems for the batsmen. A missed run out chance, the fielder did not pick up the ball cleanly.

Over 3 AUS 38/1 (Watson 2, Hussey 6) WICKET! Edwards picks up the wicket of Warner, Watson has not faced a single ball yet. Warner caught behind, he looked very dangerous. Mr. Cricket comes out to bat. Warner was not happy about the decision, but has to go. Hussey slashes this one as no one moves, the ball shoots away for four.

Over 2 AUS 30/0 (Watson 0, Warner 27) Rampaul is dispatched over the third man boundary for a six, Warner is warming up. This time Warner goes straight down the ground for a one bounce four, just helping himself to some early runs. Rampaul goes for some more as Warner hits a big six on the leg side now. Watson has not faced a ball yet! Oh dear! A big no ball from Rampaul, the field can't be changed either as Warner on strike. Warner inside edges this for a four at fine leg, just threw everything at it. 22 from the over, Warner on fire.

Over 1 AUS 8/0 (Watson 0, Warner 6) Aussies will be looking to build a strong base for their chase and Windies will be looking for some early wickets. Fidel Edwards has the ball. Warner drives it hard through the covers for four, a great shot to start. Rampaul puts the dive in to deny Warner another boundary, a good fielding effort. 8 from the first over.

End of Innings West Indies have scored 191 in their 20 overs and Australia will need 192 to win. The batsmen have done their job well for the Windies, building partnerships and hitting the ball out of the park regularly. Australians will also look to do the same, but they will be under some serious scoreboard pressure as they need 9.55 runs per over.

Over 20 WI 191/8 (Rampaul 0, Narine 4) Starc runs in to bowl the last over of the innings. Sammy slashes hard and gets it to the third man boundary, Starc is not happy. Sammy is enjoying himself here, another six, a good shot this time straight down the ground. The batsmen run for a second this time, putting pressure on Wade who has to run and forgets to pick up the ball. WICKET! Sammy top edges this one out of the atmosphere, and Warner pouches a good catch as the ball returns to the ground. Rampaul is the new man in but Ramdin is on strike. WICKET! Bowled him, Ramdin tries to create room for himself and misses. Starc gets another one and is on a hat trick. Narine hits this one through the covers for four. Hat trick denied, four runs scored. Windies post a score of 191 for 8.

Over 19 WI 175/6 (Ramdin 3, Sammy 2) Bailey gives the ball to Cummins for the 19th over. Bravo gives himself some room and mishits it to the third man boundary for four. Bravo runs for a risky two and makes it. Bowled him! Cummins bowls it straight, and Bravo misses it as he tries to create room for himself. Ramdin the keeper comes in with the bat. Hogg stops the ball just before the square boundary, the batsmen run three.

Over 18 WI 165/5 (Bravo 21, Sammy 1) Watson replaces Hogg. Pollard drills this one straight past the bowler for four, what a shot. Michael Hussey runs in from the square leg boundary and completes a good catch. WICKET! Pollard swings only to find the safe hands of Hussey, Watson picks up his second. Darren Sammy comes in. A good over from Watson, it is 165 for 5.

Over 17 WI 158/4 (Bravo 19, Pollard 6) Four overs remaining, Cummins comes in to the attack. Bravo plays an unorthodox square cut for a six, even Michael Hussey can't stop that. Takes a single off the next ball. Free hit as Cummins oversteps. The free hit costs a single. Another good over for the Windies, it is 158 for 4.

Over 16 WI 145/4 (Bravo 9, Pollard 4) Samuels gets his 50, just guides Hogg to log off for a single. Bravo playing the anchor role here, Samuels adding the momentum. WICKET! Samuels tries to clear the ropes again, only to give Warner an easy catch. A good knock from him, Pollard comes in to bat. There is lots of firepower in this West Indies batting, they are showing it here. Pollard warms up with a one bounce four straight down the ground.

Over 15 WI 138/3 (Bravo 7, Samuels 49) It started off as a quiet over, but Samuels has really taken the attack to the Aussies. He picks this one up early and hits it high and out of the ground for another big one, six! Another six, this one is flatter and over square leg, but he really got hold of this one. The change in field did not make a difference there. 14 from that Watson over, Samuels closing in on his 50.

Over 14 WI 124/3 (Bravo 6, Samuels 36) Samuels who has had his problems against Hogg, picks this one nicely over the head of Maxwell for a six. Another good over for West Indies as this one runs away for four, Samuels carries on the good work after Gayle.

Over 13 WI 111/3 (Bravo 4, Samuels 26) Christian to continue now, Watson was brought on just to get a wicket. Samuels angles it for a nice square cut for four. A really good shot, very well executed. Cummins in the deep puts in a good effort on the boundary to keep this to a single. Samuels hits this one for a six over the covers, a really good shot.

Over 12 WI 99/3 (Bravo 3, Samuels 15) Hogg comes back into the attack. Hogg causing problems for Samuels, with his wrong one and the usual spinner. A good over as normalcy returns after Gayle.

Over 11 WI 97/3 (Bravo 2, Samuels 14) Gayle pushing the run rate over 9 after 10 overs, with 4 big sixes. Watson, who dropped Gayle earlier, comes into the attack. WICKET! Gayle just lobs this one into the air, top edging it, and Watson takes the catch. Redemption for Watson, Gayle departs and Bravo comes in. A good over from Watson, but has Gayle done enough damage already?

Over 10 WI 93/2 (Gayle 54, Samuels 12) Starc comes back into the attack, Bailey looking for a wicket to break this partnership. Samuels doing the right thing, just taking safe singles and Gayle providing the momentum. A good over from Starc just five from it. Windies 93 for 2 after 10.

Over 9 WI 88/2 (Gayle 52, Samuels 10) Samuels doing the right thing, taking a single and giving strike to Gayle who is seeing this ball like a football. Samuels keeps the scoreboard ticking with a few singles and then just guides one behind point for a four, a beautiful square drive.

Over 8 WI 80/2 (Gayle 51, Samuels 3) Aussies bringing in the changes, Maxwell replaces Christian. Gayle just easily lofts this one for a six over long on, seemed effortless as he watches it go. A big shout for lbw against Gayle, not out. The next ball, Gayle dispatches it on the leg side for a six. He is dealing in sixes now, this one 95 meters. Inside edge, misses the stumps by millimeters and runs down for a four. That lucky boundary brings up the 50 for Gayle.

Over 7 WI 61/2 (Gayle 34, Samuels 2) Hogg comes in to bowl, it will be interesting to see how Gayle treats him. Hogg and Bailey having a conference about the field. A shout for lbw against Samuels, umpire uninterested, replays show it was hitting outside the line of the stumps. Hogg, aged 41, bowling to Gayle who is now 33, the golden oldies. Gayle sends this out of the ground for a six, a good over becomes an expensive one now. A one handed sweep for a single to end the over, 9 from it.

Over 6 WI 53/2 (Gayle 27, Samuels 1) Bowling change, Christian comes in. Charles angles it past fine leg who is in the circle for a safe four. WIKCET! Charles a bit unlucky as he played the ball and it disturbed the stumps. Just hit the bat, then his body and slowly hits the stumps. The second wicket bring Samuels in. Gayle dancing all over this crease still manages to drill this through the off side for four. Ten from the over, Windies 53 for 2.

Over 5 WI 43/1 (Gayle 23, Charles 12) Gayle hits this one like a bullet over point for four, no one had a chance of stopping that. Pat Cummins pace makes it easier for Gayle to hit the ball, this time pulling it along the ground on the leg side for four. Another four in the same area for Gayle, this was a more convincing shot for a one bounce four. Watson must be blaming himself for this, he dropped Gayle just last over. Six! Gayle gets hold of another one, placing this into the stands near square leg. He is on fire, 18 from the over.

Over 4 WI 25/1 (Gayle 5, Charles 12) Gayle on strike to Starc. A quiet start from Gayle and the West Indies. The bowling has been very good from both ends so far. Gayle edges one to third man and its Watson who drops it. A difficult chance, but how costly will this be for Australia. In the mean time, Charles takes a step outside the crease and puts this one into the stands for a six. Watson is disappointed about the drop, angry with himself. Charles gets a four this time, inside edging it to square leg.

Over 3 WI 11/1 (Gayle 2, Charles 2) Cummins replaces Watson, the two young men Cummins and Starc looking promising for the Aussie future. A lot of chatter about the choice of Bailey as the captain instead of Clarke or White. It will be interesting to see how Bailey leads the side in this tournament. A maiden to start the spell for Cummins, deserved a wicket.

Over 2 WI 11/1 (Gayle 2, Charles 2) Starc comes in to bowl. The third man is the shorter boundary on this ground. WICKET! Starc brings it back at pace into Smith and gets his off stump. Smith bowled! what a start for the Aussies. Johnson Charles is the new man in. A good over from Starc, three runs and the wicket.

Over 1 WI 8/0 (Gayle 1, Smith 2) Watson to begin the innings for Australia. Gayle ducks to a bouncer from Watson and the ball hits the helmet and goes for four, unlucky for the bowler. The bowler follows up with a big wide outside off. 8 from the first over.

Toss West Indies have won the toss and elected to bat first. The teams are as follows:

West Indies Marlon Samules, Ravi Rampaul, Denesh Ramdin, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Johnston Charles, Dwayne Smith, Sunile Narine, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard.

Australia George Bailey, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, Pat Cummins, Brad Hogg, Cameron White, Mitch Starc, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Daniel Christian, Matthew Wade

Greetings! Welcome to coverage of the group B match between Australia and the West Indies in Colombo.

Sky Bet Odds: