Desperate for a win after losing their opening two games of the tri-series, the Windies started with a flurry at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday, slamming 22 runs off the first two overs from pacemen Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie.

The formidable Chris Gayle, still nursing a shoulder injury which is likely to prevent him from bowling, led the way -- smacking a huge six and then a four in succesive deliveries from Gillespie.

But his zeal for quick runs was also his downfall and Gillespie had the last laugh when Gayle was cleaned bowled after exposing his stumps when he went for another for a big swing.

His dismissal for 26 off 22 balls meant the more pedestrian Hinds became the anchor of the West Indian innings after building a 55-run partnership with Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Sarwan was eventually trapped lbw after Australian captain Ricky Ponting brought on part-time spinner Darren Lehmann who dismissed the West Indian number three in his first over.

With the much-vaunted Lara coming to the crease, hopes were high for a thrilling contest between him and Aussie speedster Lee.

But the duel had barely gotten started when umpire Simon Taufel gave Lara out, caught behind by wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist off a seaming Lee delivery. Televison replays indicated Lara, who paused at the crease then glared at Taufel as he trudged off, had made no connection with the bat.

Hinds continued to hold the innings together on an excellent batting wicket when Shivnarine Chanderpaul began to quicken the tempo.

Chanderpaul made 45 off 48 deliveries, all run apart from a lone six, but was out when he tried to drive Michael Kasprowicz over cover but instead hit the ball straight down the throat of Ponting.

Marlon Samuels was next to fall, victim of some brilliant fielding by Kasprowicz who dragged down a fast return from Damien Martyn to hit the stumps from close range and dismiss him for 13.

The West Indies couldn't lift the run-rate substantially in the final overs on a wicket which seemed to lend itself to an even bigger total.

Hinds lasted until the 48th over when he top-edged a delivery from allrounder Shane Watson in the air to Gilchrist for 107, an innings which included eight boundaries.

The game is crucial for the West Indies who are trailing in the three-nation tournament after losses to both Australia, who are unbeaten, and Pakistan.

The Australians start with an impressive batting line-up including the return of first-choice openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

Stand-in opener Michael Clarke was moved back down the order which also boasts heavy-hitting allrounder Andrew Symonds and veteran Darren Lehmann.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)