17 June, 2008

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has paid tribute to West Indies after an exciting finish to the series in Bridgetown.

Australia retained the Frank Worrell Trophy before the final Test began but doubled the scoreline with a victory that wasn't as straightforward as expected.

The Windies made a decent fist of their chase before finally bowled out in the afternoon session on the final day for 387 - 88 shy of the world-record target.

The home side had dared to dream of an unlikely victory during the morning session when overnight pair Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo repelled the Australian attack for the opening hour and a half and reduced the deficit to 172 runs with seven wickets in hand.

But when both batsmen fell in consecutive overs the Windies' hopes were effectively ended.

Ponting praised the manner in which the home side applied themselves to the chase, but was content with the manner in which his side set up victory.

"There has been some great Test cricket played right through the last three Test matches," he said.

"Obviously here it has gone pretty much to plan for us but the West Indies have got a lot of positives to come out of the series as well."

"The way they attacked the run chase in the second innings showed a lot of heart and a lot of courage. Luckily for us we batted well enough in the second innings to set up a really big lead."

Vanquished skipper Chris Gayle admitted the lack of a century-maker in the second dig cost his side.

"Someone had to get a big hundred which we didn't get. Partnerships are key in this game but in the end we could not get there," Gayle said.

Despite losing the series 2-0, the home side defied their status as the No.8 ranked team in Test cricket.

"The guys are really enjoying their cricket and they're becoming more mature, so hopefully we can continue in the same vein," Gayle added.

"We played good cricket right throughout the series but unfortunately we came out the losing side."

"I can't fault the guys for the effort they've put in, to put on 380 runs is pretty good but unfortunately we lost."