Cricket: Australia thrash Windies

Australia’s Doug Bollinger (L) and Michael Clarke celebrate a wicket during the first ODI against West Indies in Melbourne. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - Australia made good their promise to curb Chris Gayle and after doing so, cruised to a 113-run thumping of the West Indies in the first one-day game at the MCG on Sunday.

Despite their batting never really clicking, Australia's 256-8 appeared monstrous once the Windies lost three wickets in as many overs early in their pursuit, including their big-hitting skipper Gayle.

Gayle took seven runs from Doug Bollinger's first over, but fell in the left-armer's next over, when his skied pull was well caught by Mitchell Johnson running with the flight at mid-off.

Bollinger and Ryan Harris showed up the gulf in class when they knocked over Runako Morton and Travis Dowlin cheaply, which broke the backbone of the visitors' batting.

A 64-run stand between Kieron Pollard (31) and Lendl Simmons (29) gave the West Indies some hope, but once the former was caught on the boundary the end came swiftly.

The tourists were all out for 143 in 34.2 overs, which made for an early night for a small crowd of 25,463.

Australia's Shane Watson's great all-round game included 59 at the top of the order - he was the only batsman to post a half-century - a return of 1-31 and a catch in the deep.

Harris continued his rapid rise in the national one-day side with 3-24 after 13 scalps in three games in the series against Pakistan, while Bollinger finished with 2-18 and spinner Nathan Hauritz 3-28.

Australia will take their 1-0 series lead to Adelaide, where game two will be played on Tuesday.

- AAP