Australia completed a comfortable 39 run victory over the visiting West Indies in the 3rd ODI of the 5 match series in Canberra on Wednesday and took an unassailable 3-0 lead with 2 games to go. The chief architect of the win was comeback man Shane Watson who powered his side to a daunting 329-7 in their 50 overs on his return to the Aussie side after a calf injury that kept him out of the start of the series. Watson scored a swashbuckling 122 off 111 balls in typical fashion opening the batting on a deck that was a welcome change for batsmen from both sides as it seemed like a belter from the start. The wicket at the Manuka Oval though was not short in providing a fantastic cricket match where both sides managed sustained spells of dominance, particularly with the bat.

Aussie skipper Michael Clarke had no hesitation in batting first after winning the toss and his openers Watson and Aaron Finch vindicated the call by putting up a solid 89 run opening stand. The Australian innings continued to go from strength to strength after the stand particularly with Watson calling the shots. The injury prone all-rounder proved his worth to side once again on returning as he piled up a comfortable Hundred in just 103 balls before cutting loose to end with a strike rate in excess of a 100. No.3 batsman Philip Hughes started off slowly before he too upped ante made a very handy 93-ball 86. Australia built on the strong foundation laid by the top order and finished with a flourish thanks to George Bailey, who made 44 off 22 balls to take the team to a formidable 329/7 after 50 overs. None of the Windies bowlers were spared as every bowler conceding in excess of 5.5 rpo. Darren Sammy and Sunil Narine finished with 2 wickets apiece and were the stand out performers for the visitors.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy said he was thrilled with the team's fielding display in the second One-Day International last Sunday, which saw three magnificent catches and some superb work in the outfield.

The skipper held onto a one-handed catch at slip off Sunil Narine’s bowling, which was the highlight of an improved display in the field at the WACA Ground. There was also a stunning, diving take by Kieran Powell at square leg off a full-blooded flick from Usman Khawaja, while Darren Bravo threw himself to his right at cover point to pluck a sizzling cut by Aaron Finch out of the air.

The Cricket Australia (CA) National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced a 13-player squad for games three and four of the Commonwealth Bank Series against the West Indies in Canberra and Sydney.

Commenting on the squad, National Selector John Inverarity said: “Shane Watson comes back into the squad for the Commonwealth Bank Series against West Indies as an opening batsman. Shane has recovered from his injury and we look forward to seeing him get back to his best.

A superb hundred from George Bailey and a second fifer in as many games for Left arm seamer Mitchell Starc set up a comfortable 54 run win for Australia against the West Indies in the 2nd ODI of the 5 match series in Perth on Friday. Much like the first ODI, the team batting first had to endure tough conditions on a seaming WACA pitch. After having decimated the Windies for a paltry 70 on Friday, it was Australia’s turn to face the music this time around as they slumped to 98/6 after being put into bat. Just as another short cricket match beckoned, George Bailey rode the storm early in his innings and capitalized on easier conditions later in the innings, making a stupendous 125 off just 110 balls to help his team post a commendable 266/7 in their 50 overs. Darren Sammy was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, picking up 3/48 in his 10 overs while mystery spinner Sunil Narine was economical in his spell of 1/34 for the visitors.