The Prime Minister’s XI have set the West Indies a competitive target of 334 for victory in their 50-over match at Canberra’s Manuka Oval.
The home side set up their total of 6/333 early in the innings, with the top three batsmen Jono Dean, Usman Khawaja and Alex Doolan all making half centuries.
Captain Ricky Ponting farewelled batting at an international level after being bowled out by Sunil Narine for 15 off 22 balls.
Peter Handscomb was stumped by wicketkeeper Devon Thomas the very next ball off the mystery spinner for a golden duck.
Local batsman Dean got the home team off to a firing start, belting 50 off just 35 balls before holing out to substitute fielder Jason Holder at long off from the bowling of Dwayne Bravo just one run later.
With national chairman of selectors John Inverarity in the stands, Khawaja’s well crafted 69 off 81 balls may help him secure a spot in the squad to tour India that is due to be announced on Thursday.
However it was fellow fringe player Doolan who top-scored for the home-side with 87 off 98 balls, before being caught by an absolute screamer from Johnson Charles off Kieron Pollard at square-leg.
Veteran wicket-keeper Brad Haddin and bowling all-rounder James Faulker also didn’t hurt their chances of a call-up to the national squad.
Haddin scored a quickfire 39 off 28 before being bowled in the final over while Faulkner scored an unbeaten 44 off 28 balls.
The run-chase will be made all the more difficult for the West Indies with the late withdrawal of star batsman Chris Gayle before the match, who is suffering from slight back stiffness after a long flight.
Narine was the pick of the Windies bowlers claiming 2-32 off his allotted 10 overs with Pollard earning 2-37 off seven overs.


