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Windies fall short in Perth
Cricket, 11:41, December 20, 2009 ,
Australia took the final West Indies wicket in just three-and-a-half overs on the final day of the third Test to win the series 2-0.
The tourists started Sunday's play on 308-9 at the WACA in Perth and were hoping last-wicket pair Kemar Roach and Gavin Tonge could hit the 51 runs required to win the Test and level the three-match series 1-1. However Roach was given out, caught behind off Doug Bollinger, after the duo added just 15 runs to the tally which left Australia celebrating a 35-run victory.
It was the West Indies' fifth successive series defeat against Australia, but they were boosted by the return of several key players following several months out due to a contractual dispute.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting was also impressed by the way the tourists pushed them in the final two Tests after a disappointing start in Brisbane.
He said: "If you look back to Brisbane, we obviously dominated that game and played really well to finish it in three days, but the last two Tests have been a bit harder for us. The West Indies have lifted (themselves) a bit and played some good cricket.
"This has been a particularly good Test match. We were a little bit disappointed we couldn't finish things off last night, being my birthday it would have been nice to get one more wicket, but I'm pretty proud and happy with what the boys have achieved over the last few weeks."
Windies captain Chris Gayle, who hit the fifth-fastest hundred in Test history in the first innings in Perth, was positive about his side's performances given the injury problems which have hit the team.
"A few injuries intervened in the series which kind of pushed us onto the back foot, but the guys stepped up and did well with the bat - Shiv (Chanderpaul) didn't play this Test match but Narsingh Deonarine chipped in well and Brendan Nash," he said.