Mitchell Starc inspires Australia to victory over West Indies at Trent Bridge

Australia made it successive wins in the Cricket World Cup when edging a scintillating encounter against the West Indies by 15 runs at Trent Bridge.

Aaron Finch's men had hit 3-1 in-play after the Windies won the toss and reduced them to 79-5 thanks to blistering bowling performances from Oshane Thomas (2-63), Sheldon Cottrell (2-56), Andre Russell (2-41) and Carlos Brathwaite (3-67).

But solid knocks from Steve Smith and Nathan Coulter-Nile, who scored 73 and 92 respectively, saw the Aussies set a target of 288 and shorten to 8-11 at the break.

Australia could then be backed at 1-3 after the West Indies lost openers Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle within the first five overs.

Gayle had twice been given out but successfully reviewed the decisions before being dismissed for lbw by Mitchell Starc, who went on to claim the first five-wicket haul of the tournament with figures of 5-46.

Shai Hope's score of 68 and a 57-ball 51 from Jason Holder gave the Windies hope but electric pace performances from Starc and Cummins limited the Caribbean side to 273-9.

Australia are a best-priced 100-30 to lift the trophy, while the Windies are 11-1, having been available at 20-1 at the start of the World Cup.

The victory was an important one for the Aussies, who must now prepare to face World Cup 3-1 shots India at the Oval on Sunday. The Windies face struggling South Africa at the Hampshire Bowl a day later.

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