West Indies bounced back to form in stunning style with a superb seven-wicket victory over Australia.
Chris Gayle’s men have had a torrid time during their tour of England and have been accused of lacking commitment, but they showed all their quality with bat and ball.
West Indies made early inroads with the ball but allowed Australia to get up off the floor and post 169/7.
It looked a competitive total, but the impressive Oval pitch provided the perfect platform for Gayle to rediscover his touch with the bat and he guided his side to victory inside 16 overs.
West Indies made a superb start as Jerome Taylor had Shane Watson caught at cover by Ramnaresh Sarwan and then knocked over Ricky Ponting.
Fidel Edwards turned the screw as Michael Clarke fell to a catch from Sulieman Benn – leaving Australia at 15/3.
Australia required a partnership and David Warner and Brad Haddin provided it. Warner is a renowned Twenty20 performer and he played some superb shots in his 63 from 53 balls.
He was aided by Haddin in a partnership of 66, before Benn took his third catch to remove Haddin.
David Hussey added some momentum with a 16-ball 27 and 28 not out from Mike Hussey took Australia to 169/7.
Although West Indies did let Australia off the hook somewhat, they at long last showed some form on the tour and the momentum continued with the bat.
Gayle and Andre Fletcher tore into the top-class pace attack that is Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson.
Lee charged in and sent the ball down at 94mph, but on the fantastic Oval wicket it was to Gayle’s liking and he smashed arguably the world’s fastest bowler for 27 in his third over.
Gayle smashed the ball to all parts of The Oval, on a couple of occasions out of the ground as well, and aided by Fletcher they took the game away from Australia.
The partnership was broken at 133, as Fletcher fell to a short ball from Watson for a well made 53, but the damage had already been done.
Gayle fell to Lee having made 88 with the victory target in sight, but West Indies eased home with over four overs to spare.