Brett Lee put in a superb all-round display as Australia tasted yet another victory in the VB series at Adelaide. He scored a crucial unbeaten 38 when his team was in deep trouble and helped Australia post a challenging target of 270. He then scalped four wickets in the West Indies innings to deservedly end up with the Man of the Match trophy.

Earlier, Pedro Collins carried on from where he left off at the Gabba in Brisbane, single-handedly breaking the back of the Aussie top-order. Collins had the woefully out-of-form Hayden caught behind as the aggressive opener tried to play an extravagant stroke against the line. Ricky Ponting followed soon after for a rare duck. The Aussie skipper, also playing across the line, got a leading edge that landed safely in the hands of Dwayne Bravo.

Meanwhile, Michael Clarke continued to look in ominous touch, being especially severe on Collins. In fact, Australia had rocketed to 24 for no loss at the end of the second over before Collins began weaving his magic. Clarke too fell to the West Indian left-armer, clean bowled off a beautiful incoming delivery. And when Darren Lehman left the scene, also playing a rash shot, Australia were down in the dumps at 38/4.

With no Gilchrist and Martyn in the squad, things did not seem too rosy for the world champions. Add to it, Andrew Symonds' poor run of form. He has had five blobs in his last six innings. But he hung on, putting aside his natural game and grafted for quitea while. He got good support from 'comeback specialist' Simon Katich, who looked in no trouble whatsoever. The duo went on rebuilding the innings while maintaining a steady run-rate.

But just when it seemed that the Aussies were getting back on track, part-timer Wavell Hinds broke through. Symonds edged an outswinger into the safe hands of Courtney Browne and Australia were back in trouble at 95/5. The wicketkeeper Brad Haddin then joined Katich. If the Aussies had to post a decent total, it was important for this partnership to carry on for a long time. Still very much an inexperienced international, Haddin gave Katich the required support before being castled by Bravo for a well-made 32. Bradd Hogg came and went without adding much to the total.

It was now upto the set Katich to see the innings through to the end. But Brian Lara played his trump-card just in the nick of time, and it worked. Pedro Collins, who troubled every Aussie batsman in his first spell, sent back Katich with a brilliant toe-crushing yorker. Billy Bowden took some time before raising his dreaded crooked finger. But once he did, the match seemed firmly in Windies grasp at 196/8.

However, what followed in the overs to come was not what the doctor had ordered for the West Indies. Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie batted sensibly yet aggressively and the runs kept coming without much trouble. Lee in fact struck an amazing six over cover, getting underneath the delivery. Despite falling over, he made sure the ball had sailed over the boundary ropes. Jason Gillespie too got into the act, sweeping Samuels for a maximum. In spite of feeling the heat, Gillespie stayed until the end to contribute a valiant 44. Australia had set West Indies a target of 270, not something the Caribbeans would have been pleased with, especially after having them at 38/4.

When it was Windies' turn to bat, Brett Lee once again stole the show. The fiery paceman sent back Hinds, having him fend at a delivery outside the off-stump. Chris Gayle too followed his opening partner in the pavilion. He was unable to get out of the way of a shorter one from Lee, and this meant that the Aussie sensation was on a hattrick. Sarwan and Chanderpaul then set about reconstructing the innings. But the Aussie bowlers had a complete stranglehold on the duo. The run rate kept hovering around three throughout their partnership before the pressure finally got to Sarwan and he perished for 39 in an effort to push the scoring. Chanderpaul went on to compile a half-century, but he too fell soon after, run out by the brilliant Michael Clarke. By the time Brian Lara had arrived, the required rate had exceeded seven, raising once again the question regarding his exact spot in the batting order. Other teams also have faced this dilemma of where to place their best bat. Sachin Tendulkar's batting in the Indian middle-order did not go down too well with many former Indian cricketers, while Inzamam too is facing similar criticism. Having watched the inability of Sarwan and Chanderpaul to pick up the scoring rate and the inconsistency of Hinds and Gayle at the top of the order, it might not be long before Lara reoccupies the No.3 slot.

Coming back to this game, the Windies skipper found the pressure too much to handle and skied a catch to Brett Lee after contributing 29. The innings then completely fell apart as Australia romped home victors by 73 runs. The win once again reiterated the strength of the Aussie side. Despite being in deep trouble at one stage, they fought back and in the end cantered to victory. It was certainly the stuff champions are made of.