Continuing where he left off at the T20 Cricket League, Shane Watson blasted a brilliant century and Australia started their preparations for the Champions Trophy with a four-wicket victory over the West Indies in Cardiff on Saturday.
Michael Clarke's team were set 257 to win, after Darren Bravo carved a rollicking 86 and helped the West Indies post a respectable 256-9 in their 50 overs.
Initially it seemed that total may be beyond Australia after David Warner and Phillip Hughes were quickly dismissed, which left the Australians struggling at 4-2 very early in the chase.
But soon Watson, who opened the batting, snatched the momentum back from the West Indies as he went on to pile 135 in just 98 balls, peppered with 15 fours and four sixes.
Watson's flamboyant display put Australia firmly on course for victory, with Adam Voges (43) and Mitchell Marsh, who smashed eight fours in his 19-ball 39 not out, ensuring there would be no late revival from the West Indies.
Australia, who are in Group A along with England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, play their second warm-up fixture against India in Cardiff on Tuesday (June 4).
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the West Indies lost opener Devon Smith for just seven - he was caught by Matthew Wade off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.
However, Australia failed to take advantage of that early breakthrough and Bravo combined with Johnson Charles (55) to give the West Indies renewed hope.
They put on 65 for the second wicket before Charles fell lbw to Clint Mckay, Mckay finished with figures of 3-45 from 10 overs, while Starc took 4-29 off seven overs.
Kemar Roach threatened to derail Australia's chase when he had both Warner and Hughes caught by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.
But Watson's majestic performance and the support of Voges and Marsh saw Australia canter to the finish line with a whopping 67 balls to spare.
Michael Clarke's team were set 257 to win, after Darren Bravo carved a rollicking 86 and helped the West Indies post a respectable 256-9 in their 50 overs.
Initially it seemed that total may be beyond Australia after David Warner and Phillip Hughes were quickly dismissed, which left the Australians struggling at 4-2 very early in the chase.
But soon Watson, who opened the batting, snatched the momentum back from the West Indies as he went on to pile 135 in just 98 balls, peppered with 15 fours and four sixes.
Watson's flamboyant display put Australia firmly on course for victory, with Adam Voges (43) and Mitchell Marsh, who smashed eight fours in his 19-ball 39 not out, ensuring there would be no late revival from the West Indies.
Australia, who are in Group A along with England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, play their second warm-up fixture against India in Cardiff on Tuesday (June 4).
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the West Indies lost opener Devon Smith for just seven - he was caught by Matthew Wade off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.
However, Australia failed to take advantage of that early breakthrough and Bravo combined with Johnson Charles (55) to give the West Indies renewed hope.
They put on 65 for the second wicket before Charles fell lbw to Clint Mckay, Mckay finished with figures of 3-45 from 10 overs, while Starc took 4-29 off seven overs.
Kemar Roach threatened to derail Australia's chase when he had both Warner and Hughes caught by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.
But Watson's majestic performance and the support of Voges and Marsh saw Australia canter to the finish line with a whopping 67 balls to spare.
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