Oz ease to 3-0 series sweep over Windies

Opener Matthew Hayden finished 87 not out, narrowly missing the chance of becoming the third player in history to make hundreds in five successive Tests, while Mike Hussey hit the winning run to finish unbeaten on 30.

“It’s been a very enjoyable series, it always is when Australia and the West Indies play each other,” Australian captain Ricky Ponting said.

West Indian captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul said his young team would be better for the experience of playing Australia. “Congratulations to Australia, they were the better team. Our young players will have learnt a lot from this.”

Australia lost one wicket on the last day with Brad Hodge dismissed for 23, brilliantly caught by a diving Dwayne Smith at backward point off Daren Powell’s bowling.

Brief scores

West Indies: 405 and 204 lost to Australia: 428 and 182-3 (Hayden not out 87, Hussey not out 30, Colleymore 2-51).