VB Series, (A/ P/ WI) 2004-05

At Melbourne, January 14, 2005 (day/night). Australia won by 116 runs. Australia 6 pts. Toss: Australia. One-day international debut: X. M. Marshall.

Australia overwhelmed a brittle West Indies, despite resting Hayden and McGrath. Gilchrist fell for a duck to a thrilling catch by Bravo diving at midwicket, but a jaunty 115-run stand between Clarke and Ponting nudged the run-rate near six. Though Samuels slowed the scoring and deceived Clarke with a sharp off-break, Martyn glided irresistibly to 95 and Lehmann's last-ball four took Australia past 300. A keen spell from Lee put West Indies in trouble and, though Chanderpaul and Lara performed their customary rearguard action, Lara drove to cover, and the wrist-spinner Hogg exploited a wearing pitch and flippant tail to collect five for 32. These were not only his best one-day international figures, but one run cheaper than the best by Shane Warne, whose possible return to one-day internationals was the subject of press speculation.

Man of the Match: G. B. Hogg. Attendance: 51,543.