Shivnarine Chanderpaul's blazing start went in vain as the West Indies suffered a dramatic collapse to give Australia a comfortable 78-runvictory in the opening match of the DLF Cup tri-series in Kuala Lumpur today.
Chanderpaul smashed a 83-ball 92 during a century opening stand with Chris Gaylebut the West Indies, chasing a target of 280, lost their last eight wickets for25 runs and folded up for 201.
All-rounder Shane Watson, who was at the receiving end of Chanderpaul's fury inhis opening spell, benefitted from the Caribbean harakiri to return with fourfor 42.
Gayle slammed an equally aggressive 58 off 46 balls but the rest of the batsmengot out to some loose shots and gave Ricky Ponting's men an easy victory in thefirst international match at this off-shore venue.
The Australian total of 279 for 9 revolved around Michael Clarke's stroke-filled81 and a fluent 54 by Ponting.
The scoreline could have been even larger if not for Jerome Taylor's accuratefast bowling that fetched him three for 59 and cut the Aussie sails in theclosing stages.
West Indies now take on India in the second match at the same venue on Thursday.