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Australia completes rout

— PHOTO: AFP

CLEAN SWEEP: The Australian team poses with the trophy after completing a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies.

BASSETERRE: Luke Ronchi paced a record Australian innings and Mitchell Johnson took five wickets to seal a 169-run win over the West Indies on Sunday in the fifth and final One-day international at Warner Park.

The victory completed a 5-0 sweep in the series following a 2-0 win in the Test series.

Ronchi’s 64 off 29 balls — including six sixes and five fours — helped Australia amass 341 for eight off 50 overs, bettering its previous best against the West Indies of 338 for six in Melbourne in 2001.

David Hussey scored a 19-ball half century in the latter stages, hitting four fours and four sixes in 52 off 21 balls, after Andrew Symonds (66) and Mike Hussey (51) added more measured half centuries to anchor the middle innings.

The West Indies never challenged the target and was bowled out for 172 off 39.5 overs.

Shawn Findlay, in only his second one-dayer, top-scored with an unbeaten 59.

Left-arm pacer Johnson claimed two early wickets and then returned to decimate the tailend to finish with five for 29 off 7.5 overs.

Good start

Australia began well after winning the toss on another fine batting pitch.

Openers Shaun Marsh (49) and Shane Watson (29) combined for 70 off 12.5 overs.

After Watson departed with a square cut to third man off Dwayne Bravo, Ronchi entered in only his second one-day innings and hit Chris Gayle for three sixes in one over.

He also punished Edwards and reached his half-century off 22 balls to equal the second-fastest by an Australian.

Ronchi snicked left-arm spinner Miller’s first ball to Ramdin, who also claimed Clarke from Sarwan’s first delivery.

Symonds and Michael Hussey then joined to reclaim the momentum for Australia, sharing a stand of 113 for the fifth wicket. — AP

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