Cricket: Big win for Aussies in first test against Windies

Australia won the first test in emphatic fashion when they beat West Indies by nine wickets late on the third day at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Australia mopped up their opponents by taking six wickets for 27 runs in the first 90 minutes of the third session to dismiss the hosts for 216 in their second innings.

That left Australia needing 47 runs to win and they knocked them off in five overs, only losing opener David Warner (28).

Steve Smith hit the winning run late in the day to avoid having to return on Saturday morning (local time).

The second match in the two-test series will be played in Jamaica next week.

Apart from a fourth-wicket stand of 144 runs by Shane Dowrich (70) and Marlon Samuels (74), the second innings saw another wretched batting display by the home team, who made 148 in their first knock.

Australia's left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was the pick of their attack, collecting four wickets for 28 runs off 18 fiery overs.

He mopped up by snaring the final three wickets with the new ball, his pace too much for the tail enders to handle.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, right-arm fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and spinner Nathan Lyon all chipped in with two wickets a piece.

Lyon picked up his 141st test wicket, equalling Hugh Trumble as the all-time most successful off-spinner in Australian history.

Earlier, West Indies went for tea at 189 for four, at which stage they looked like setting Australia a decent challenge.

But they lost two wickets in four balls shortly after the interval, and once Australia had a chance to bowl at the tail with the new ball, the writing was on the wall.

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