Plain sailing for Aussies

Xavier Doherty claimed 4-49 as Australia eased to a 64-run victory over West Indies in the ODI series opener in St Vincent.

Debutant George Bailey top scored for Australia with 48 out of a total of 204-8 after they had chosen to bat first on a slow pitch.

And West Indies collapsed to 140 all out in 33.2 overs, left-arm spinner Doherty well supported by seamers Clint McKay (2-22) and Dan Christian (2-12).

The five-match series continues at the same venue on Sunday.

Responded

Doherty was hit for three sixes in four balls by Marlon Samuels in his first over but later responded in impressive fashion.

He dismissed Samuels, Carlton Baugh and Andre Russell in successive overs as West Indies slumped from 97-3 to 104-9.

Home captain Darren Sammy tried to stage a fightback, clubbing three sixes and three fours in a quickfire 35 at number nine, but his counter-attack and the West Indies' victory hopes ended when he was last man out in the 33rd over.

Earlier, Bailey fell just short of a half-century on debut as Australia recovered from their own mid-innings troubles.

Bailey came to the crease with his side on 99-4, having lost three wickets for eight runs, but made 48 to help his side squeeze past the 200-mark.

After Shaun Watson went early for 21, trapped lbw by Bravo, David Warner and Peter Forrest guided the tourists to 91 by the 23rd over.

Recovery

But Forrest had never really settled and his dismissal for 26, stumped by Baugh off Samuels, started a mini collapse as Warner followed four balls later for 40 and then David Hussey went for a seven-ball duck.

That brought Bailey to the crease, and he built a partnership of 63 with Michael Hussey before the latter was caught at long on by Kemar Roach off Bravo (3-58) for 32.

The hosts quickly removed Matthew Wade for a duck, but had to wait for the 48th over to get Bailey, who after hitting five boundaries in his 66-ball knock scooped a Roach delivery high into the air for Sunil Narine to snare.

Christian added an unbeaten 18 but Brett Lee managed only five and McKay failed to register before the 50 overs were up.

• World Cup 2015 Tournament Winner: Australia 7/2