Australians Wrap Up Convincing Victory

Australians Wrap Up Convincing Victory

Ed Cowan was unbeaten as the Australians cruised to victory

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australians 214-9 dec. & 87-2 beat
WICB President's XI 201 & 98 by 8 wickets
Tour game, Barbados

The touring Australians duly wrapped up an eight-wicket victory early on the final day of their match against the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President's XI in Barbados.

They had been set 86 to win and they lost two wickets before advancing their overnight score of 30 without loss to 87 for two to complete a comfortable success.

Shane Watson (25) and Michael Clarke (4) were the men to fall, to Jason Holder and Nkrumah Bonner respectively, before Ed Cowan's unbeaten 28 and Ricky Ponting's innings of 23 not out guided the visitors home.

Austraila's dominant position was set up by Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Lyon, who took four wickets apiece to dismiss the West Indians for 98 in their second innings on the second day.

That came after Australia, replying to a score of 201, had declared on 214 for nine.

Peter Forrest top scored with an unbeaten 53 for Australia while Shane Watson made 42, Michael Clarke 35 and Peter Nevill 25.

Ryan Austin and Nkrumah Bonner grabbed three wickets apiece before the home side's batting was blown away.

Hilfenhaus returned four for eight and off-spinner Lyon four for 17, leaving Carlton Baugh unbeaten on 27 as wickets tumbled.

Australia's first Test against the West Indies in Barbados begins on Saturday 7th April.

© Cricket World 2012

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