Australia claim ODI series

A fine all-round performance and an unbeaten half century from Matthew Wade has led Australia to a six wicket win over West Indies in Barbados, enough to claim the ODI series 2-1 on Tuesday (Australian time).

It was the spin trio of Adam Zampa, returning left arm orthodox spinner Ashton Agar and part time off-spinner Ashton Turner that set up the triumph for the Aussies, the trio sharing the combined figures of 5-83 from 28 overs to help knock over the West Indies for 152.

Opener Evin Lewis defied a blow to the head to make an unbeaten 55 after resuming his innings at 5-71, fighting a lone hand on a pitch that made stroke making difficult.

Agar, who replaced younger brother Wes in the side after overcoming a hamstring injury claimed the key wickets of Shai Hope (14) and Darren Bravo (18) as the home side never got going after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Mitchell Starc claimed three more wickets to take his series tally to eleven, Lewis throwing the bat late in the innings to make a half century as the innings subsided in 45.1 overs.

Starc (3-43) was the leading wicket taker with Agar, Zampa and Josh Hazlewood all taking two scalps, Turner with the economical figures of 1-23 from his eight overs.

Akeal Hosein took the new ball with his left arm spin and trapped Moises Henriques LBW for one, Josh Philippe unable to make his mark also as he edged Alzarri Joseph down the leg side having made ten.

That left Australia slightly jittery at 2-27, before Mitch Marsh counterattacked with three sixes in a rapid fire 29, adding 38 with captain Alex Carey.

Marsh also fell to the leg side strangle from the bowling of Sheldon Cottrell, Carey (35) also falling before the finish line as the West Indies kept themselves in the contest.

Wade steadied things with Agar for company, the pair adding an unbroken 54 for the fifth wicket to take their team to both victory and a series triumph.

Wade remained unbeaten on 51 from 52 balls with his top score of the tour, Agar awarded man of the match with his unbeaten 19 to complement his 2-31 with the ball.

Starc was player of the series for his 11 wickets in the three match series, headlined by a five wicket haul in the opening match.

Australia now head to Bangladesh for more white ball cricket, but will do so without regular white ball skipper Aaron Finch, who is set to return home for knee surgery.

IMAGE: The Indian Express.