George Bailey came to the rescue with his maiden ODI century to lift Australia to 7-266 in Sunday’s one-day clash with the West Indies at the WACA Ground.

Australia were in deep trouble at 6-98 in the 24th over after the West Indies pulled off a series of remarkable catches to destroy the home side’s top and middle order.

But a 100-run stand between Bailey (125no off 110 balls) and James Faulkner (39) steadied the ship, with Bailey simply brutal in the dying overs.

In the last six balls he faced, Bailey cracked 30 runs, with Kemar Roach (1-51 off 10 overs) feeling most of the pain.

But Bailey had his fare share of luck along the way.

The 30-year-old was almost run out on 27, only for Kieron Pollard’s close-range throw to sail just wide.

And when Bailey was on 40 he survived a strong LBW appeal that the Decision Review System showed was clipping leg stump.

Despite that prediction, the umpire’s original verdict of not out was upheld because less than half the ball was shown to be hitting the stumps.

The West Indies lost the series opener on Friday by nine wickets after being skittled for 70.

But things appeared far brighter for the visitors early on Sunday when they pulled off several screamers in the field.

Kieran Powell started the show with a magnificent diving catch to his right to dismiss Usman Khawaja for three.

Darren Bravo got in on the act with a scintillating catch above his head at cover point to remove Aaron Finch for 11.

But Darren Sammy produced arguably the best of the lot while fielding at first slip, with the West Indies skipper sticking up his left hand to pull in an absolute screamer off the bowling of spinner Sunil Narine.

Matthew Wade couldn’t believe his luck when he saw the catch stick.

And when Glenn Maxwell fell for a first-ball duck after chopping Sammy (3-48) onto his stumps, Australia were in all sorts of strife at 6-98 in the 24th over.

But Bailey, whose spot in the 50-over side had come under question from some quarters, repaid the faith of the national selectors by producing the best knock of his international career to date.