Gayle ... top scored with 33 and Collins ... pick of the bowlers.
MELBOURNE, (Reuters):
THE WEST Indies began their tour of Australia with an embarrassing seven-wicket loss to Victoria in a one-day match yesterday.
West Indies captain Brian Lara won the toss and batted, scoring 24 in his side's 201 all out in 47.5 overs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
David Hussey (83 not out) and Matthew Elliott (87) then smashed 129 runs off 112 balls for the third wicket in Victoria's reply of 205 for three in 32 overs to win with 18 overs to spare.
Right-hander Hussey blasted six fours and five sixes in his 62-ball innings while former Test opener Elliott was caught at long-off in the penultimate over after hitting nine fours and one six off 98 balls.
Paceman Pedro Collins took two for 26, removing Victoria's Brad Hodge for three and Nick Jewell for 16 while opener Chris Gayle top-scored for West Indies with 33 from 23 balls.
"The players have played enough international cricket to do better than they did today," said West Indies coach Bennett King.
"Five of our top eight looked like they were in very good form and showed some very good signs but unforced outs can really cruel you in this game.
"Five of them being unforced and three being forced through reasonable bowling was a pretty poor result for us.
"We've got a lot of work to do in the next week or so."
The tourists, playing the first match since their two-wicket win over England in the ICC Champions Trophy final on September 25, suffered a middle-order collapse losing six wickets for 63 to reach 151 for eight after 35 overs.
Wicketkeeper Courtney Browne (18 not out) and Ian Bradshaw combined for a 48-run partnership off 68 balls for the ninth wicket before Bradshaw fell to David Hussey in the 47th over with the score on 199 for nine.
Elliott said the visitors looked under prepared.
"They haven't had a hit-out for a long time and they did look a bit rusty," said Elliott.
West Indies will play Australia A in Hobart on January 8 and 9 ahead of their triangular one-day series opener against Australia in Melbourne on January 14. The tri-series also includes Pakistan.
