Pace bowlers Nathan Bracken and Glenn McGrath ripped through the West Indies batting order yesterday to put world champion Australia in a strong position to claim its first limited-overs Champions Trophy cricket title.
Failing to capitalize on a brisk start, the defending champion West Indies was bundled out for 138 in 30.4 overs -- the lowest score in a Champions Trophy final -- thanks to the penetrative bowling of Bracken (3-22) and McGrath (2-24).
Eight West Indies batsmen failed to enter double figures as the innings crashed after a robust opening stand between Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who put on 49 runs off 31 deliveries.
Bracken sparked the collapse when he claimed three wickets in the space of 22 deliveries to shatter the West Indies top order, leaving McGrath to tidy up the middle.
Seam bowler Shane Watson claimed two for 11 to dash any chances of a late recovery.
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