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St. Lucia: Quick-fire half centuries from Shane Watson and Mike Hussey have helped Australia to a commanding eight-wicket win over the West Indies in their Twenty20 international on Tuesday.
Chasing the hosts' 7-150 in St Lucia, opener Watson (69) and first drop Hussey (59) both went better than a run a ball to steer the visitors to 2-153 with 11 balls to spare.
Watson's runs came off just 43 balls, as he bludgeoned five fours and six sixes, while Hussey's 45-ball knock produced four fours and two sixes.
The Australian run chase began horrendously, however, as star batsman Dave Warner was bowled for a duck by medium-pacer Krishmar Santokie (1-27) in their first over.
But Watson quickly upped the tempo after the dismissal, including hitting wicket-taker Santokie for three sixes alone.
Watson eventually holed out to Garey Mathurin (1-33) in the 13th over, but captain George Bailey (21 off 17) joined Hussey in the middle to guide the tourists to victory in the opening contest of the two-match series.
Earlier, big-hitter Kieron Pollard did his best to boost the West Indies total, as he cracked 54 from just 26 deliveries, including five sixes.
Pollard came to the crease in the 11th over with his side's run-rate struggling at 3-66, but his power striking lifted them to a competitive total.
Johnson Charles (24) was their equal-second highest scorer, and he had earlier tried to set the standard when he struck three straight boundaries to start a Brett Lee over.
But Watson trapped his fellow opener Charles lbw, after Lee had earlier dismissed Dwayne Smith for 10 to strangle the West Indies top order.
Dan Christian was the best of the Australian bowlers with 3-27 off three overs, while Lee (2-30) and Watson (1-16) were the other wicket-takers.
The second T20 is set to take place at Bridgetown on Friday.
Brief scores
West Indies 150 for 7 (Pollard 54*, Christian 3-27)
Australia 153 for 2 (Watson 69, M Hussey 59*)
Result Australia beat West Indies by 8 wickets
MOM Shane Watson (Australia)
