AUSTRALIA v WEST INDIES

At Melbourne, March 18 (day/night). Australia won by 57 runs. Toss: Australia. Forty-five minutes into their innings, Australia's semi-final aspirations were ended by news of Pakistan's victory. But their own win eliminated the West Indians, and earned themselves a consolatory fifth place in the final table on run-rate. West Indies could blame themselves: the Australians' total was well within reach after they failed to build on an opening stand of 107 in 27 overs. Boon scored his sixth international century of the season, duplicating his 100 in the opening World Cup match in Auckland. For a mere 4.34 an over, the West Indians would have been in the last four. But only Lara met the challenge, batting 38 overs for 70. Haynes and Simmons went to consecutive balls in McDermott's fourth over, and Whitney bowled his ten straight through to remove Richardson, Arthurton, Logie and Hooper. Lara's off-drives and sweeps pushed the score on until, at 137, he called Benjamin for a run. When his colleague made no response, West Indies' last chance was shattered with Lara's stumps.

Man of the Match: D. C. Boon. Attendance: 47,572.