Ponting's century seals series for Aus
A rampant Australia cracked 324 for seven with Cameron White (63) continuing his glorious summer after Calypso skipper Chris Gayle inexplicably ordered Australia to bat.
The Windies never looked on course to chase down the highest ODI score at the Gabba, and their fate appeared confirmed when Gayle (34 off 21 balls) departed.
However, a late flurry from big-hitting muscleman Kieron Pollard (62 off 55 balls) and Dwayne Smith (58 n.o) helped the 'Windies save some face.
The tourists finished on 274 for eight as Australia completed a 50-run win as their quest to complete an unbeaten summer continues ahead of Friday's final One-dayer at the MCG. Gayle meted out some brutal early punishment to Doug Bollinger but the left-arm quick got his man with a wonderful moving delivery that the opener edged behind.
The only worrying moment for Australia all day was when White was struck a vicious blow behind his left ear when he took two steps down the pitch towards a Pollard bouncer.
White appeared groggy - immediately removing his helmet to reveal an ugly red scar - but X-rays later cleared him of any serious damage.
The brutal batting bruiser they call "Bear" shared a 131-run stand with Ponting.
But the man of the hour was Ponting who belted his first One-day century of the summer to show that he was far from the fading force that some cricket observers feared.
By hitting his first ODI century at the Gabba and his 29th overall, Ponting moved to outright No. 2 on the list of ODI century- makers behind Indian great Sachin Tendulkar (45 centuries).
Clarke was rested from the Valentine's Day clash and Ponting chose the perfect time for a triple-figure treat ahead of Australia's looming tour of New Zealand this month.
Third Aus-WI ODI abandoned due to rain
After Australia were bowled out for 225 in a rain-interrupted 49.5 overs, West Indies were 0-6 from five balls in reply before their innings was put on hold for two hours. On resumption, the tourists were handed a revised target of 151 from 24 overs. Unfortunately they faced just one more delivery before dashing from the field for another rain delay and play was soon abandoned.
Earlier, steady batting from Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey helped Australia scratch together a modest total of 225 against the resurgent West Indies in the third ODI at the SCG.
Vice-captain Clarke top scored with 46 from 74 balls while Hussey hit 44 from 53 deliveries.
The hosts were bowled out in 49.5 overs on a pitch offering some assistance to the seamers.
Rain stopped play for 20 minutes in the 30th over.
Tim Paine (16) and Adam Voges (8) added 28 before Chris Gayle's decision to bowl first paid early dividends when the openers fell in the seventh and eighth overs.
Australia looked comfortable as they edged quietly to 78 in the 19th over.
But skipper Ricky Ponting played a ball from Darren Sammy onto his stumps for 22.
Cameron White was caught behind for 17, trying to cut a ball from Kieron Pollard at the start of the 30th over, with players dashing from the field because of rain two deliveries later.
Sammy (2 for 46) struck another key blow when Clarke charged down the pitch and was caught behind attempting to pull, leaving Australia in a spot of bother at 144 for five.
Clarke hit only one boundary in his 46. James Hopes (30) and Mike Hussey (44) added 50 for the sixth wicket before Australia lost their last five wickets for 31 runs.
Ravi Rampaul picked up 4 wickets for 61 runs from 9.5 overs and Dwayne Smith claimed figures of 3 for 45.
Thankfully for Australia, tailender Ryan Harris smashed three fours and six in the final over, scoring 21 from nine deliveries.
Opening batsman Shaun Marsh was a late withdrawal after injuring his back during warm-up exercises.
Australia made four changes to the side which won by eight wickets in Adelaide on Tuesday.
Wicketkeeper Paine, Voges, James Hopes and Ryan Harris replaced Clint McKay, Marsh, Shane Watson (rested) and regular wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (rested).
West Indies recalled Wavell Hinds and Sammy for Runako Morton and paceman Kemar Roach, who has a swollen ankle. Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 with two matches to go.
New Zealand v Bangladesh, 3rd ODI, Christchurch
New Zealand overcome spirited Bangladesh
Earlier, Kayes batted for the majority of Bangladesh's innings, building productive partnerships with the middle order to guide his team to 198 for 4 after 40 overs. Mohammed Ashraful and Shakib both posted 30s after a disappointing showing in each of the previous ODIs, but were unable to kick on to put the New Zealand attack under pressure in the final overs.
Kayes, however, paced his innings intelligently, driving aerially through covers early in the innings before settling in for a long knock during the middle overs. Playing second fiddle to the likes of Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed, Kayes rotated strike effectively and hit the occasional boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking over at a healthy rate, even as wickets fell at regular intervals around him. He was slightly fortuitous at times, repeatedly beating McCullum with edges to the third-man boundary, but was the glue that held the Bangladesh innings together. He was eventually dismissed for 101, looking for quick runs in the 48th over.
Despite runs coming from the top order, Bangladesh were once again unable to put in a complete batting performance, and failed to accelerate effectively in the batting Powerplay and the death overs. While the visitors did well to reach 198 for 4 after the 40th, the final ten overs yielded only 43 runs for the loss of five wickets and left the score at 241 for 9, when at one stage at total in excess of 260 looked likely.
The visitors' failure at the end was also largely due to an excellent spell from Daniel Vettori, who was wicketless until the 44th over before picking up three scalps in consecutive overs to end with 3 for 42 from his ten. Tim Southee also picked up three wickets, and was the pick of the New Zealand attack, conceding just 37 runs from his full quota.
Brendon McCullum began the New Zealand run chase in belligerent fashion, pulling Shafiul Islam over square leg for six in consecutive overs, but fell attempting an ugly slog, dragging a fuller Rubel Hossain delivery onto his off stump. Martin Guptill came to the crease and was in supreme touch from ball one, timing it superbly to the straight boundary, both along the ground and over the infield. The running between the wickets was especially impressive while Guptill was in the middle, stealing lightning-fast singles to men in the infield.
Shakib then came into the attack dismiss Peter Ingram in his first over, playing inside the line of a well-pitched drifter that hit off stump. Ross Taylor too was stumped off Shakib after a flighted delivery beat the bat and left him well short of his crease.
Guptill, however, batted beautifully to string the New Zealand innings together, punishing the bad deliveries down the ground and through point, while rotating the strike with incredible efficiency to keep the run-rate well above what was required. When he holed out to long off for a run-a-ball 91, New Zealand were well placed to win the match, requiring 47 from 15 overs with five wickets in hand.
The departure of Neil Broom and Jacob Oram in quick succession, however, put some pressure back on the hosts, but Ian Butler and James Franklin had plenty of overs to play with. Despite the tension, they negotiated the remainder of the run chase without much drama. Franklin hit the winning runs in the 45th over, leaving Bangladesh to rue the missed opportunity to score 25-30 more runs, which might have made for a much tighter finish.
Australia v West Indies, 3rd ODI, Sydney
Pressure builds on Gayle's men
At the start of the series Chris Gayle tipped a 4-1 win for West Indies, but given their predicament he would probably settle for 1-4. Calling the tourists out-classed in the opening exchanges is being polite to guests and if they lose in Sydney on Friday the five-game contest will be decided with two matches spare.
After West Indies' fight in the Test series earlier in the season, the follow-up campaign has been hugely disappointing, although Gayle hasn't been helped by a batch of injuries which kept many of his best men at home. Batting has been the most serious problem, with the tourists managing 143 on the way to a 113-run loss in Melbourne, and 170 in Adelaide after being 4 for 16. The second game, which was watched by only 8378 spectators, was finished in the 27th over of the chase.
Australia have been outstanding throughout the limited-overs segment of the summer and are on a 10-match winning streak. With a 2-0 lead, the hosts have been able to rest key players in Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, but there won't be any relief for West Indies as the locals pursue an undefeated summer.
