Coming in at No. 3, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting joined forces with opener Tim Paine to do some damage control.

Both batsman played to the merit of the delieveries and managed to put on a 85-run partnership, until Paine departed for 33 in the 20th over, knicking one to the wicketkeeper off the bowling of David Bernard.

Ponting started off on a cautious note, but as he got used to the wicket, he came out of his shell and looked in fine touch. Taking advantage of some inconsistent bowling, 'Punter' played some sweet strokes and managed to make 79, inclusive of nine boundaries and a six.

Ponting brought some stability to the Australian innings in the middle overs, but it was bowler Mitchell Johnson, (73 not out in 47 deliveries) who ensured that the Aussies had a respectable total to defend.

After the departure of Ponting in the 31st over, Australia lost three wickets - Cameron White (4), Callum Ferguson (20) and James Hopes (5) - within seven overs that put the breaks on the Australian innings.

However, Johnson who came in lower down the order, showed he was no mug with the bat. He  played with a cool head and later hammered the inexperienced Windies bowlers at the death. Along with Bret Lee (25), he helped the Aussies put up a strong total of 275 for eight in their 50 overs.

The inexperience of the West Indian bowlers cost them dearly.

Niki Miller emerged as the best bowler for West Indies, claiming two for 24 in his ten overs but the rest of the bowlers came undone against Johnson's late onslaught.

Despite making early inroads, they gave 24 extras (lb-7, nb-8 w-9) that didn't help their cause in restricting the Australians.