Australia continue unbeaten run; clinch series

Ricky Ponting struck a top quality hundred as he lead Australia to victory over West Indies to hand them an unbeatable 3-0 series lead.

Australia beat West Indies by 50 runs in the fourth ODI at Brisbane to continue their unbeaten run this summer and complete another comprehensive ODI series victory.

The hosts got off to a flying start after being put into bat by West Indies, scoring 65 runs in the Quick start overs despite losing Shane Watson in that period. Ricky Ponting and Tim Paine put on a fifty run stand for the second wicket before Paine was caught brilliantly by Pollard. Ponting was unstoppable and continued to score freely, finding good support from Cameron White. The two went on to add a 131 run stand for the third wicket which put Australia in a very strong position as they head into the Extreme Performance overs. Ponting went on to score a well deserved century and that was followed by a late assault from James Hopes, who scored 42 runs off just 21 balls taking the hosts to a massive 324 at the end of 50 overs.

The visitors always had an uphill task with over 300 runs to chase and it only got more difficult once they lost Travis Dowlin and Chris Gayle inside the first Power Play with only 55 runs on the board. Lendl Simmons went soon after but Narsingh Deonarine and Wavell Hinds added 45 runs for the fourth wicket and tried to keep them in the contest. But Australia struck back again with another three wickets in quick succession. It looked like things would be over very soon with very little batting to come but Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith were not about to give up without a fight. They added 102 off just 99 balls but it was too late as they ran out of deliveries, finishing with 274 for eight in their 50 overs.

Ricky Ponting was adjudged Man of the Match for his 106 off 112 balls with a Batting Momentum of 143.