Gary Sobers won the toss and opted to bat 1st on a lively wicket ruthlessly exploited by Australia's bowlers. West Indies were 40-5 on an eventful 1st morning in which Keith Miller was the pick of the quick bowlers. They struggled to 145 thanks only to an unbeaten half century from wicket keeper Jeffrey Dujon. In contrast, Australia's opening pair of Hayden and Morris looked more comfortable as the pitch became easier for batting. They were 53-0 when bad light brought proceedings to a premature close.
Australia took command of this MCG Test on day 2, closing on 350-9, a lead of 205. Steve Smith's sublime 159 from 188 balls was the glue which held the Australian innings together. There were half centuries from Hayden & Morris, while Shane Warne kept Smith company in an 8th wicket partnership of 91. West Indies' quick bowlers were erratic & failed to exploit favourable overcast conditions.
West Indies' batting looked like crumbling on day 3, and when Warne dismissed Lara for 2 they were 34-4. But the game was dragged into the 4th afternoon by a brilliant lone effort from Sobers-119 in a total of 237. Australia easily got the 27 runs they needed, winning by 10 wickets. The difference between the 2 bowling attacks in these conditions was stark and the West Indies sorely missed Lance Gibbs, who suffered a shoulder injury in the build up to the test match.
Australia are at home again next round and take on England at Brisbane. Both teams won their opening games, so it should be something to savour. West Indies will go back home and will wait for Pakistan to arrive in Barbados for their next match.
Match Summary
West Indies won the toss and elected to bat
West Indies 1st Innings 145 all out (57 overs)
PJL Dujon 55*, KR Miller 4-24, RR Lindwall 2-28, DK Lillee 2-36
Australia 1st Innings 357 all out (99.4 overs)
SPD Smith 159, ML Hayden 55, AR Morris 51, MD Marshall 3-53, GS Sobers 3-76, AME Roberts 2-72
West Indies 2nd Innings 237 all out (91.3 overs)
GS Sobers 119, PJL Dujon 34, CG Greenidge 29, AK Davidson 3-49, SK Warne 3-50, DK Lillee 2-41
Australia 2nd Innings 27-0 (9.1 overs)
Australia won by 10 wickets
Man of the match: SPD Smith
A fantastic innings by Smith pushed Australia well beyond the West Indies 1st innings total and set up a big opening win
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