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Australia lose unbeaten tour record in Caribbean

Australia's Shaun Marsh plays a shot during the international Twenty20 cricket match against the West Indies at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Friday. PHOTO: AP

Australia lost their unblemished Caribbean tour record as the West Indies completed a seven-wicket victory in a rain-affected Twenty20 International on Friday.

Defending a victory target of 98 from 11 overs, Australia failed to keep a lid on the West Indies, and the home team won with 11 balls to spare, when Dwayne Bravo scooped a short, rising ball from Shane Watson over mid-wicket for six.

Australia’s bowlers were under the cosh from the outset with Xavier Marshall smashing three fours and three sixes in 36 from 15 balls to get his side off to a flourishing start.

Australia’s new-ball pair of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson were battered into submission, when Marshall put on 53 from 21 balls with international newcomer William Perkins for the opening stand.

The Australians then grabbed three wickets in the space of 13 balls to leave West Indies 64 for three.

But Bravo struck 28 from 15 balls to lead West Indies to their target.

Play started almost two-and-a-half hours late because of rain that fell throughout the day in the island and the match was reduced to 11 overs-a-side.

Australia got away to an enterprising start, when Shaun Marsh and Luke Ronchi put on 57 for the first wicket.

Ronchi led the way with 36 from 22 balls and Marsh supported with 29 from 22 balls, but Australia lost three wickets in the space of 14 balls and this slowed their progress.

International newcomer Kemar Roach was the most successful West Indies bowler with two wickets for 29 runs from three overs.

The two sides now face each other in a five-match one-day international series, starting on Tuesday at Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St. Vincent.
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