Cricket: Warner guides Australia to big win

David Warner scored the second fastest fifty in Twenty20 history against the West Indies last night. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - David Warner scorched the second fastest international half century in Twenty20's short history as Australia completed their unbeaten summer with a bang at the SCG last night.

In reply to the West Indies' 138-7, the home side reached the target with eight wickets and 50 balls to spare.

Warner (67 off 29 balls with seven sixes) and Shane Watson (62no off 33 balls) caned the touring side's attack.

India's Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the fastest Twenty20 half century from 12 balls against England in South Africa in 2007.

That mark was in danger with Warner on 22 off four balls at one stage before eventually reaching his fifty off 18 balls, the fastest effort on Australian soil and by an Australian.

There was some drama in Warner's innings with the left-hander warned by the umpire for taking strike as a right hander as spinner Narsingh Deonarine came in to bowl.

But it meant little to the crowd who enjoyed the carnage that started with Warner taking 22 off the opening over of the innings by paceman Kemar Roach.

Warner was not quite as potent against the spinners but still punched Deonarine over point to bring up his fifty before falling at the hands of Nikita Miller in the deep.

Australia scored 142-2 off 11.4 overs in just 50 minutes with debutant Dan Christian hitting the winning runs over mid wicket in front of a crowd of 31,639.

It was Australia's first unbeaten home summer since 2000-01.

Deonarine (36no off 29 balls) and Darren Sammy (26no off 11 balls) earlier lifted their side to 138-7 from their 20 overs.

Debutants Ryan Harris (2-27 from four overs) and Christian (2-29 from four overs) both had their moments but Sammy mashed up Christian's figures in the 20th over by hitting him for consecutive sixes to end the innings.

Steve Smith earlier continued to astound with his outfield catching.

He produced his latest screamer by pulling in a full-blooded pull shot from Travis Dowlin (31) on the square leg boundary.

It followed his two sharp catches in the deep in Sunday's match in Hobart.

The scary thing is that most judged his effort on Tuesday night as his second best grab of the summer behind his stunning effort on the boundary for NSW in the Big Bash at the MCG.

The ball appeared to be beyond him at the SCG on Tuesday night until he leapt backwards and clung on to the ball in spectacular fashion.

- AAP