Scorecard

The West Indies squandered a good start and were bowled out for a paltry 138 against Australia in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy, at the Brabourne stadium, in Mumbai, on Sunday.

Electing to bat, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle gave the West Indies a blazing start, putting on 49 runs for the opening wicket in just five overs.

But left-armer Nathan Bracken led Australia's fightback with a three-wicket haul, claiming the wickets of Chanderpaul (27 from 18 balls), Ramnaresh Sarwan (7) and Gayle (37 off 27 balls) to trigger a collapse.

Glenn McGrath snared Brian Lara cheaply, caught behind for 2, as the West Indies collapsed dramatically in the middle overs, losing their last eight wickets for just 59 runs.

West Indies innings:

Australia changed its opening bowling combination, giving the new ball to Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken. It seemed strange that the Glenn McGrath was ignored.

Chanderpaul looked like a man possessed as he singled out Lee for special treatment, hitting him for boundaries at will and also a chancy six over the third man fielder.

After five overs, the West Indies had raced to 49 for 0 and Australia were feeling the pressure.

But Bracken got the wicket of the high-flying Chanderpaul in the sixth over, when the left-hander played a wide delivery on to his stumps.

Chanderpaul had looked determined to tear the Australian attack to pieces as he launched into a ferocious attack early on before Bracken got his wicket just at the right time. He gave the West Indies the perfect start, scoring a blazing 27 from 18 balls, inclusive of four boundaries and a six.

Brett Lee suffered the most, conceding 36 from his first three overs, before giving way to veteran Glenn McGrath.

Then Gayle took over the mantle as he launched into the experienced McGrath, who was introduced in to the attack in the seventh over. He dumped him with utter disdain over long-in for a huge six in his first over.

Meanwhile, from the other end, Bracken got the wicket of Ramnaresh Sarwan for 7.

Gayle continued his assault on McGrath in the pacer's next over. McGrath was made to feel the heat again as Gayle hit a couple of boundaries and a six as Australia raced to 79 for 2 after nine overs.

Gayle, who scored a blazing century in the semi-finals against South Africa, seemed set for another special knock. But Bracken struck the all-important blow for Australia, when he bowled Gayle for 37.

The left-hander hit six boundaries and two sixes in his 27-ball knock as the West Indies reached 80 for 3 after 10 overs.

Brian Lara and Dwayne Bravo tried to bring stability to the innings with some cautious batting. The duo added just eight runs in five overs during their stay at the wicket, before Lara fell, caught behind to McGrath for 2.

What an amazing comeback by the veteran pacer after the initial onslaught by Gayle!

His first two overs went for 22, but in his next three he just gave a single run, with two maidens, while taking the big wicket of captain Lara.

McGrath inflicted further misery on the Windies when he scalped the wicket of Runako Morton as West Indies slumped to 94 for 5 in the 19th over.

His first spell was just unbelievable and had single-handedly destroyed the Windies. His figures read: 2 for 24 in seven overs, with three maiden overs.

Marlon Samuels flicked straight to Michael Hussey at mid-on off Shane Watson for 7.

Dwayne Bravo fell leg before wicket for 21 as he failed to read the incoming delivery from spinner Brad Hogg in the 26th over.

Australia wasted no time in finishing up the tail and the West Indies were bowled out for a lowly 138 in 30.4 overs.

The last eight wickets fell for the addition of just 59 runs after they were cruising at 79 for 2 at one stage.

Bracken, who started the rot, was the most successful bowler, taking 3 for 22 in his six overs. McGrath gave him good support, taking 2 for 24 in his seven.

It can be said that the notorious Mumbai pitch once again lived up to its low-scoring reputation. But, as all witnessed, the pitch did not play badly. All credit must go to the Australian bowlers and some poor shot-selection by the West Indies batsmen.

Only a miracle can see the West Indies defend their title from here.