Australia beat West Indies by 58 runs to win tri-series

Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Marsh bowled Australia to a comfortable 58-run victory over the West Indies in the Tri-Series final in Barbados.

Hazelwood claimed 5-50 and all-rounder Marsh (3-32) removed Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Johnson Charles in a brilliant spell of 3-7 to break the back of the West Indies reply after Australia had set them 271 for victory.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade top-scored with an unbeaten 57 off 52 balls in Australia’s total of 270-9 before they bowled the West Indies out for 212.

Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, George Bailey, Steven Smith, Marsh all made starts but failed to push on, and Glenn Maxwell fell cheaply to leave Australia limping on 156-6 and Wade with the tail.

But Wade batted sensibly, striking three sixes and two other boundaries from 52 deliveries to get the tourists up to a respectable and defendable total.

Hazelwood removed Andre Fletcher (9) to end a promising opening stand at 49 before Marsh took centre stage, having Bravo caught behind, Samuels caught at short cover and Charles lbw to a quicker ball.

The West Indies continued to lose regular wickets and despite the best efforts of Denesh Ramdin (40) and Jason Holder (34) the hosts never looked like getting close to the Australia target and a stunning boundary catch from Glenn Maxwell to remove Sulieman Benn off Hazelwood secured victory.

Captain Steve Smith said: “We were in a bit of trouble at one point and I thought Matthew Wade and the tail did an incredible job to get to 270.”

Hazlewood, meanwhile, was named man of the series for his 11-wicket haul, and he said there was no secret to his success.

“I keep it pretty simple. Run in and hit a length and get a little bit of movement each way,” he said. “I don’t try to complicate it too much.”