West Indies captain Brian Lara (left) greets Jerome Taylor after they won their match against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy on Wednesday. - Reuters

JAIPUR, India (Reuters):

WEST INDIES skipper Brian Lara hailed young paceman Jerome Taylor and his side's teamwork for the tense 10-run victory over Australia in Wednesday's Champions Trophy Group A tie.

"Congratulations must go out to Jerome Taylor on his hat- trick and (Runako) Morton on his splendid 90 not out," he said in a team statement yesterday.

"Morton really batted well. It was really something special from the guys who are now learning different things and the intricacies of one-day cricket."

Defending champions West Indies had to qualify for the main rounds as they were not ranked among the top six on the cut-off date of April 1.

Lara, who won the toss and chose to bat on a slow Brabourne stadium pitch, hit 71 batting at number six and added 137 for the fifth wicket with Morton, top-scorer with 90 not out, after being down at 63 for four.

First windies hat-trick

Taylor became the first West Indies bowler to take a one-day hat-trick in the final overs to end Australian victory hopes.

Lara was absent when Australia chased after he suffered back spasms while batting and Ramnaresh Sarwan took charge.

Lara was pleasantly surprised the 22-year-old Taylor, who was in only his 19th ODI, was the first to achieve the feat.

"It was excellent of him to get the first hat-trick," he said. "We all have faith in Jerome, he is one of the bright sparks in the team, and he definitely has a huge future.

"I thought a (Courtney) Walsh or someone else might have had it before, but it was great."

Lara was confident of regaining fitness for Thursday's second game against hosts India in Ahmedabad owing to an eight-day gap.