Spinners, Mitchell Starc lead Aussies to easy win against West Indies

Mitchell Starc

Providence (Guyana): Mitchell Starc and spinners inspired Australia to a six-wicket win over the West Indies in the tri-nation series at Providence Stadium here on Sunday.

Mitchell Starc. Pic/AFP

The Windies, who beat South Africa in the opening clash on Friday, were on the back foot from the moment left-arm seamer Starc removed Andre Fletcher for four in the first over.

Spinners Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa combined to dismiss the hosts for just 116 and David Warner helped rattle off the target within 26 overs with an unbeaten 55. The returning Starc, who had been out since last year with an ankle injury, set the tone early on with the dismissal of Fletcher after five balls.

Australia skipper Nathan Lyon (left) celebrates the dismissal of WI's Kieron Pollard for a duck with skipper Steven Smith on Sunday. Pic/AFP

The 26-year-old went on to take the wicket of fellow opener Johnson Charles (22) and finished with figures of two for 37. Off-spinner Lyon took three for 39 and leg-spinner Zampa racked up three for 16 as Australia took advantage of a sluggish pitch in Guyana.

Dwayne Bravo notched 19 runs while a determined 21 from 48 deliveries from Carlos Brathwaite attempted to steady the West Indies ship but it proved in vain.

Warner ensured there would not be any nerves from Australia with a composed half-century which included three fours and a six. Aaron Finch (19) fell lbw to Jason Holder and Sunil Narine claimed the wickets of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, for a duck, but the result was never in doubt.

Usman Khawaja fired his way to 27 from 38 balls before Mitchell Marsh joined Warner at the crease to seal a comprehensive win.