Australia ease to comfortable victory in tour match

Cave Hill (Barbados), April 5 (IANS/CMC) Apart from a couple of early wickets for the WICB President's XI, there was little or no drama as Australia duly completed an eight-wicket victory in a three-day tour match here.

Jason Holder and Nkrumah Bonner each grabbed a wicket, as Australia, chasing 86 to win, comfortably reached their target about an hour before lunch on the final day Wednesday at the Three Ws Oval.

The victory was formalised, when a short delivery from lanky left-arm fast bowler Delorn Johnson was pulled through mid-wicket for four by left-handed opener Ed Cowan, whose 28 not out was the top score.

Holder gave the President's XI an early breakthrough, when he had Shane Watson caught on the square-leg boundary for 25 from a pull off fast bowler Holder.

Bonner followed up quickly, when Australia captain Michael Clarke, playing off the back-foot, was caught behind for four, leaving the visitors 52 for two.

This was the final success for the President's XI, as Ricky Ponting, not out on 23, joined Cowan and they steered the Aussies home.

The match was the only warm-up for the Australians prior to the first Test against West Indies, starting Saturday at Kensington Oval, a few kilometres south of this venue in the Barbados capital of Bridgetown.

--IANS/CMS

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