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Australia crush the West Indies

06/11/2005

A West Indian batting collapse helped Australia seal victory in the first test in Brisbane by 379 runs with a day to spare.

Having declared their second innings overnight on 283-2, Australia set the West Indies a massive 509 runs to win.

However, after moving to 78-2 at lunch, the West Indies capitulated as they lost their last eight wickets for just 44 runs in just over 15 overs in the afternoon.

Brett Lee was the main architect of the West Indies downfall, ending up with 5-30, his best figures for the Baggy Greens, while Nathan Bracken also turned in career best figures for Australia of 4-48.

It was sweet revenge for Lee, who had been criticised by sections of the Australian media after the first innings for lacking control against a West Indies batting line-up dominated by left-handers.

Devon Smith, who had smashed 88 in the first innings, was Lee's first victim as the opener edged the quick bowler to Shane Warne at slip for three.

Chris Gayle (33) was the other man out before lunch as his attacking approach, which saw him club Glenn McGrath for two sixes in one over, ended when he also found Warne in the slips, this time off Shane Watson.

Brian Lara was out just after lunch for 14 as he was caught by Matthew Hayden at gully for 14, before Shivnarine Chanderpaul (7) was given out to a harsh lbw decision.

Ramnaresh Sarwan made 31 before becoming Lee's second wicket as Dinesh Ramdin (6), Daren Powell (1) and Fidel Edwards (0) all followed soon after.

Then Lee finished off the last two batsmen to claim his first five wicket haul in 38 tests.

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