Nottingham: Mitchell Starc has bowled Australia to a backs-to-the-wall World Cup win over the West Indies, with the defending champions prevailing by 15 runs at Trent Bridge.
After Australia recovered from 4-38 early in their batting innings to post 288, Starc claimed figures of 5-44 and took wickets at crucial times to wrap up the win.
Nathan Coulter-Nile had earlier been the hero with the bat for Australia, clubbing 92 off just 60 balls after Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey stablised the first innings.
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Starc and Pat Cummins then put Australia on the front foot with the ball, removing openers Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle in the first five overs.
Starc got the dangerous Gayle at the third time of asking on 21, after the Jamaican twice successfully reviewed LBW and caught behind decisions.
Mitchell Starc celebrates the dismissal of West Indies' captain Jason Holder.Credit:AP
The 39-year-old was still, however, unlucky on two counts. The previous ball should have been a no-ball to create a free hit, while his third review only failed on the basis of an "umpire's call".
Starc then twice returned to rip the heart out of the West Indies line-up late in the chase and keep Australia undefeated.
He claimed the prized scalp of the powerful Andre Russell for 15, before taking the wickets of Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder in the same over just as the match swung in the Windies' favour.
Australia's wicketkeeper Alex Carey, right, reacts after West Indies' Shai Hope, played a shot.Credit:AP
Needing 37 from 27 balls, Brathwaite tried to take on a Starc slower ball but only succeeded in skying it to Aaron Finch at mid on, before Holder pulled him to short fine leg.
Cummins also produced, with his 3-40 including three maiden overs and the key wicket of Shai Hope for 68 as the right-hander aimed to anchor the West Indies' innings.
Adam Zampa also bowled with great control and had Nicholas Pooran (40) caught at point off a well-flighted ball.
The result had looked unlikely after Australia lost four wickets inside the first eight overs of the morning and Smith and Coulter-Nile were forced to begin their recovery mission.
