Johannesburg, Sept. 26: Half-centuries from Ricky Ponting and Mitchell Johnson helped Australia to secure a 50-run win over the West Indies in their Champions Trophy Group A match at the Wanderers on Saturday.

Johnson smashed his way to 73 not out off 47 balls with eight fours and three sixes while Ponting scored 79 runs off 95 deliveries as Australia posted 275/8 in their first match of the tournament. In reply, the West Indies were shot out for 225 in 46.5 overs, with Dale Richards unable to bat due to injury. The defeat was West Indies’ second consecutive loss of the tournament, effectively ruling them out of semi-final contention. Opener Andre Fletcher played a fantastic knock of 54 and Travis Dowlin followed him with an equally impressive 55 to raise hopes of an upset but could not finish off the job for their team.

Fletcher and Dowlin put a brave fight with a 86-run stand for the second wicket but their middle-order could not build on the start. The duo separated after an unfortunate run out of Fletcher. Skipper Floyd Reifer (28) and Darren Sammy (20) resisted for some time but the effort only narrowed the defeat margin. Earlier, the left-handed Johnson needed just 40 deliveries to bring up his maiden one-day-international 50, eclipsing his previous ODI best of 43 not out scored against England at Lord’s earlier this month.

— Agencies