Australia beats West Indies in Tri-Series Final

Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood starred as Australia defeated the West Indies by 58 runs to win the one-day tri-series final on Sunday.

Wicketkeeper Wade struck an unbeaten 57 off 52 balls to push Australia to a competitive total of 270-9. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh scored 32 runs and took 3-32 to help undermine the West Indies’ chase, and paceman Hazlewood claimed 5-50 as the home team was bowled out for 212 in 45.4 overs.

West Indies skipper Jason Holder (2-51) took the early wicket of Usman Khawaja (14) as Australia batted first after winning the toss. The left-hander edged a flashing drive to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Opener Aaron Finch, who struck six fours and a six in making 47 off 41 balls, holed out to deep midwicket off the medium pace of Kieron Pollard, while George Bailey (22) deflected a Carlos Brathwaite delivery back onto his stumps to make it 120-3.

When Shannon Gabriel (2-58) removed captain Steve Smith (46) and Glenn Maxwell (4) in the same over, the West Indies were on top, with Australia teetering at 156-5.

Marsh completed 1,000 one-day runs in his innings of 32 off 45 balls, but Australia dipped further when Marsh was bowled off the inside edge by left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, making it 173-6.

Wade stopped the rot with a vital innings, hitting two fours and three sixes, and Australia also had useful tail-end contributions from Mitchell Starc (15) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (15).

The home team’s innings received a solid start from Johnson Charles (45) and  Andre Fletcher, who added 49 runs for the first wicket.

But Hazlewood made the breakthrough when Fletcher (9) edged to slip and Marsh then ripped through the top order by removing recent century-makers Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels as well as Charles.

Left-hander Bravo (6) feathered an edge to Wade, Samuels spooned to extra cover off the leading edge and Charles was lbw, and the hosts were wobbling at 72-4.

Ramdin (40) shared stands of 33 with Pollard and 43 with Holder but Australia kept claiming wickets at crucial times.

Pollard (20) swatted leg-spinner Adam Zampa to long-off and Holder sliced Coulter-Nile to the cover sweeper to make it 148-6.

Hazlewood then returned to grab the final four wickets and started the celebrations among the Australians. Australia has now won 57th title in ODI. The way Australia play finals, no one does.