Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc believes the hard-fought nature of their victory over the West Indies sets the champions up for the defence of their World Cup crown.

The five-time winners appeared to be heading for defeat when they were reduced to 79-5 at Trent Bridge on Thursday following a hostile spell of fast bowling by the West Indies

But, with Nathan Coulter-Nile hitting a career-best 92 and Steve Smith making 73, Australia recovered to a competitive 288 all out.

Despite fifties from opener Shai Hope and West Indies captain Jason Holder, West Indies fell 15 runs short in their reply, with Starc taking five for 46.

"We haven't played awesome cricket in that game, we played well in patches but we can get better," said Starc.

"It's exciting to find new ways to win. Coults (Coulter-Nile) played very well to get us to a competitive total."

He added: "You always have to be confident in those situations, it was touch and go for a while. We always had the belief. There is lots of good bowling in our line-up and we were only a couple of wickets away."

Left-armer Starc, 29, removed the dangerous Chris Gayle before he could really get going and also took the crucial wickets of Andre Russell and Holder.

Starc was the player of the tournament when Australia won the 2015 World Cup on home soil, taking 22 wickets.

"The experience of four years ago plays a part, but for guys who can bowl at the death we have a lot of options," added Starc.

Former Australia captain Allan Border said an in-form Starc was the "best around".

"The way he starts, he swings the ball early, and then later on he goes around the wicket and makes it hard for tail-enders to get bat on ball with his pace and the angle he bowls," said Border, who led Australia to the first of their five World Cup wins in 1987.

West Indies batsman Shai Hope, who made a painstaking 68, admitted the manner of West Indies' loss at Trent Bridge was tough to take.

"This is going to be a tough pill to swallow having basically been dominating the game for the majority of it and then not being able to cross the line," he said.

But said the West Indies should keep faith with a policy of aggressive short-pitched bowling from the pace quartet of Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell, Carlos Brathwaite and Russell.

"Most definitely, as long as you get wickets with the new ball you always put teams under pressure," Hope said.

"It was just unfortunate we couldn't drive home and get the tail in a bit earlier."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis

Unlikely batting hero Nathan Coulter-Nile won't be surprised if he is dropped by Australia for their next World Cup clash against India despite his match-winning innings against the West Indies.

Reigning champions Australia were in dire straits at 38 for four at Trent Bridge on Thursday after a top-order slump against the West Indies' fast bowlers.

But Coulter-Nile made a career-best 92 -- the highest score by a World Cup number eight batsman or lower -- and also shared a century stand with star batsman Steve Smith as Australia recovered to 288 all out.

That proved enough as Australia, with fast bowler Mitchell Starc taking five wickets, won by 15 runs.

But, for the second match in a row, after Australia's opening win against Afghanistan, paceman Coulter-Nile went wicketless, with the 31-year-old's 10 overs on Thursday costing 70 runs.

Asked if he felt he had nailed down his place ahead of Sunday's clash with India, Coulter-Nile told reporters: "No, I took none for 70. I'm not in the team to make runs, hopefully the top order does that, so I wouldn't be surprised if I got dropped for the next game."

But the Western Australian said he relished the uncertainty.

"I actually like it. I think it's good to have competition and it wouldn't be good if we had no one pushing you trying to get better so again I love it," he added.

Asked what his chats in the middle with the experienced Smith had been about, Coulter-Nile said: "He was just trying to keep me level-headed, just giving me the confidence to play my shots, telling me what he thought they were going to do and where the runs were going to come."

But Coulter-Nile, whose 60-ball innings featuring eight fours and four sixes, insisted he did not feel 'in' until late in his highest score in senior cricket.

"The only time I looked up and I thought 'Jeez' was when I was on about 90, I think. Then I started thinking about it," he said.

"I broke my bat one of the shots, I didn't want to change it, maybe I should have done that. I didn't think about the century. I just thought 'jeez that's a lot of runs'.

"It was a pull shot off Sheldon Cottrell, it actually hit the middle but split down the bottom, I didn't want to swap it." 

Coulter-Nile's career has been blighted by back problems in recent years but he said that one benefit of being unable to bowl was that it had allowed him time to work on his batting with Western Australia opener Liam Davis.

"I have to give him 100 percent of the credit," said Coulter-Nile. "He takes time out, doesn't take anything off me.

"He's not a 'cricket tragic' so for him to come and help me like that, I really appreciate it. In all honesty I owe him everything for my batting.

"Last two years 'stresses' (stress fractures) it's all I could really do, bat."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis

Nathan Coulter-Nile's record-breaking innings laid the platform for Australia's 15-run win over the West Indies on Thursday as the World Cup holders bounced back from a top-order collapse to make it two successive wins.

Australia were in dire straits at 38 for four after the West Indies fast bowlers proved too hot to handle early on at Trent Bridge. But Coulter-Nile's career-best 92 -- the highest score by any number eight batsman or lower in a World Cup -- helped take them to 288 all out.

He carried on a recovery started by former skipper Steve Smith (73), with the pair bailing Australia out in a stand of 102 in 89 balls.

West Indies, despite a painstaking 68 from opener Shai Hope and 51 from captain Jason Holder finished on 273 for nine.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc did the bulk of the damage with five for 46 -- the first five-wicket haul of this World Cup -- including a late burst of four for two in 11 balls -- as Australia followed up their seven-wicket win over minnows Afghanistan.

"We just kept hanging in there. We were able to fight back through Alex Carey and Steve Smith. Then for Nathan Coulter-Nile to play the way he did was exceptional," Australia captain Aaron Finch said.

"I absolutely was nervous. Once the West Indies batsmen get set they are so destructive and can hit it to all parts.

"You have to try and stall their momentum and get them to take risks. It came off today but we still need to work on things."

Holder added: "I thought we were well in the game, just a few irresponsible shots when we probably needed to tap it around a bit more.

"To get Australia at 288 we would have taken that, I just think the batters need to take responsibility. We still believe we can win this competition, it's wide open."

The West Indies had bounced out Pakistan for just 105 when winning their tournament opener at Trent Bridge last week and adopted similar tactics against Australia after Holder won the toss.

Oshane Thomas had Finch (six) caught before opening partner David Warner (three) was held at backward point off Sheldon Cottrell -- a wicket that saw the left-arm quick, still a member of the Jamaica Defence Force, celebrate with his trademark salute.

Australia were now 26 for two, with boos ringing out as Warner walked off and Smith walked on -- a now familiar response by crowds in England to the pair having only recently returned from year-long bans for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Smith had a lucky break on 26 when he top-edged a hook off Holder only for Cottrell at long leg to slip as he eyed a catch.

His patient innings ended when he flicked Thomas high towards deep backward square only for Cottrell, skirting the boundary, to grab the ball one-handed, throw it back into the field of play as he stepped over the rope -- thereby avoiding a six -- and complete a sensational catch.

But Coulter-Nile cashed in as he surpassed his previous international best of 34.

His blistering assault off 60 balls featuring eight fours and four sixes also saw him beat former Zimbabwe international Heath Streak's previous World Cup best by a No 8 of 72 before, in sight of a hundred, he drove Carlos Brathwaite to Holder at long-off.

In the West Indies' run-chase, big-hitting opener Chris Gayle, having overturned two 'out' decisions, was eventually lbw to Starc for 21.

But Hope, biding his time, completed a 76-ball fifty. Holder who overturned decisions against him on seven and 22, upped the tempo with several well-struck boundaries.

West Indies, however, suffered a huge setback when Hope chipped a Pat Cummins slower ball to mid-on, setting the stage for Starc's demolition job.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis

Nathan Coulter-Nile hit 92, the highest score by a number eight batsman in World Cup history, as champions Australia staged a remarkable rally against the West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Australia were in dire straits at 38 for four following an aggressive start by the West Indies' quicks.

But they finished on 288 all out after former captain Steve Smith (73), who put on 102 for the seventh wicket with Coulter-Nile, began the repair job.

"It was the sort of wicket where you have to take your time and get used to the bounce. Some balls seemed to rear up and the short balls felt really quick. I don't know if it's the pitch or their bowlers," said Coulter-Nile, who was dropped on 61 by Shimron Hetmyer.

The West Indies had bounced out Pakistan for just 105 when winning their tournament opener at Nottinghamshire's headquarters last week and adopted similar tactics after captain Jason Holder won the toss on a sunny day.

Oshane Thomas struck first when Australia captain Aaron Finch (six) was caught behind off a lifting delivery.

David Warner (three) was then caught at backward point off Sheldon Cottrell that saw the left-arm quick -- still a member of the Jamaica Defence Force -- celebrate with his trademark salute.

Australia were now 21 for two, with boos ringing out as Warner walked off and Smith walked on -- a now familiar response by crowds in England to the pair having only recently returned from year-long bans for their part in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. 

- Coulter-Nile cashes in -

Usman Khawaja was twice hit on the body on Thursday before he edged an edge off Andre Russell was brilliantly caught one-handed by diving wicket-keeper Shai Hope.

Australia's 36 for three was quickly transformed into 38 for four when Glenn Maxwell was out for a second-ball duck, a top-edged skyed hook off a Cottrell bouncer comfortably held by Hope.

Left-hander Alex Carey (45) gave Smith some sound support in a stand of 68 before he was caught behind off Russell.

Smith had a lucky break, on 26, he top-edged a hook off West Indies captain Jason Holder only for Cottrell at long leg to slip and fall over as he eyed a catch. 

His patient innings ended when he flicked Thomas high towards deep backward square only for Cottrell, skirting the boundary, to grab the ball one-handed, throw it back into the field of play as he stepped over the rope -- thereby avoiding a six -- and complete a sensational catch without touching the rope.

But Coulter-Nile cashed in as he surpassed his previous international best of 34.

His blistering assault off 60 balls featuring eight fours and four sixes also saw him beat former Zimbabwe international Heath Streak's previous World Cup best by a No 8 of 72.

But in sight of the all-time one-day international high score by a No 8 -- 95 not out by England's Chris Woakes -- he drove Carlos Brathwaite to Holder at long-off.

Photo Credits: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis

Australia and West Indies played out a riveting match at Trent Bridge on Thursday at the 2019 ICC World Cup, with the reigning champions ending up victorious by 15 runs in a game that went down to the last few overs. It was a day for the Aussie bowlers as their top scorer on the night was Nathan Coulter-Nile was scored a brilliant 92 and Mitchell Starc was a cut above the rest with his quick left-arm bowling helping him get his sixth fifer of his ODI career.

While Coulter-Nile claimed the man of the match award for his highest ever ODI score, it was the former Australian captain Steve Smith who was in truth the real match winner for the Australians with his composed half-century, helping his side combat the early collapse.

But thanks to some superb shot-making by Steve Smith, Alex Carey and a glorious 92 from Nathan Coulter-Nile, the Aussies were able to post a match-winning total.

Watch how they did it #CmonAussie #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/fTF5OQ97wF

�?ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2019

Playing just his second International match since the ban, Smith seemed to pick up from where he left off as he proved to be his team’s Mr Dependable yet again. He came in to bat with the score reading 26/2 with West Indies pacers Oshane Thomas and Sheldon Cottrell wreaking havoc with their extra pace and bounce.

The Australian wickets kept tumbling from the other end as Usman Khawaja and Glennn Maxwell also succumbed to the West Indies pacers. Smith though remained firm at the other end and batted out the bulk of the pace bowling to ensure the slew of wickets did not continue.

The 30-year-old built a strong partnership of 68 runs with wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey to get Australia close to the 150 mark by the 30^th over. After Carey’s wicket, Coutler-Nile came into bat and the bowling all-rounder began attacking from the very beginning.

Read | Australia shutting out World Cup boo-boys

Smith continued to play the anchor role in the innings as Coulter-Nile began playing his shots. He scored a brisk half century in the 40^th over to ensure Australia got a more than respectable total. Smith too began to take a few calculated risks by targeting the likes of Andre Russell and Carlos Braithwaite.

The former captain scored a brilliant 73 and played out the most challenging periods of the innings before a stunning catch by Sheldon Cottrell in the boundary ended his stay. He may not have been the most aggressive on the night or amassed the most runs, by Smith showed his maturity and determination as a batsman to ensure the Aussies weathered the storm when it was most treacherous. His fine partnership with Carey gave Coutler-Nile the pedestal to go all out at the end and get Australia to a strong total of 288.

Photo Courtesy: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis

Justin Langer has hailed the West Indies' "Calypso cricket", admitting they were his heroes when he was growing up as he prepares Australia to face their current battery of fast bowlers.

The two teams, who have won seven out of the 11 World Cups so far between them, meet at Trent Bridge on Thursday after both cruised to comfortable opening victories. 

Head coach Langer said defending champions Australia would need to adjust their mindset to take on the West Indies quicks and other fast bowlers at the tournament in England and Wales.

"We've probably spent four months thinking and playing against spin bowling," he said on Tuesday.

"We have to adapt to West Indies no doubt, who have got a number of good, fast bowlers. South Africa will be same. England will be the same. Have to adapt our game plan and adapt pretty quickly. 

"Obviously a very dangerous team the way they bat and aggressive bowling, but they've got weaknesses as well and we're playing pretty good cricket." 

West Indies, who won the first two World Cups, in 1975 and 1979, were the dominant force in the world game for two decades and boasted a succession of world-class fast bowlers and thrilling batsmen.

"When I was a kid it was Calypso cricket, and I think we're seeing plenty of signs of Calypso cricket," said Langer said. 

"Running and bowling fast. They're not necessarily going to be bowling the same spot every ball, but going to be exciting to watch. They all try to hit sixes most balls so Darren Bravo's probably a little bit more unorthodox. 

"Always exciting playing the West Indies. When I was growing up they were my heroes."

Langer described veteran opener Chris Gayle, who scored 50 in the West Indies' seven-wicket victory against Pakistan, as a "brilliant player".

"They got a number of dangerous players," he said. "With him on the team they seemed to grow a leg. They take confidence from him. Again, hopefully don't take too much confidence on Thursday."

Australia were on the end of a thumping last year when England posted a world record one-day international score of 481 for six at Trent Bridge and Langer described the experience as "brutal".

"Had some really good times here at Trent Bridge and last year was a down," he said.

Langer welcomed David Warner's innings of 89 not out in Australia's win against Afghanistan, his first official international match since completing a one-year ban for ball tampering.

"You can see the look in his eyes," he said. "A lot of people are talking. Looks determined. For him to battle through 90 or 80, whatever it was, and to still be there at the end and get the job done for the team, that's a great sign for us."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar

Steve Waugh has warned Australia that the West Indies' array of stroke-makers and aggressive bowlers will pose the first serious threat to the World Cup holders.

Former Australia captain Waugh was impressed with the no-nonsense way his country defeated minnows Afghanistan by seven wickets in their opening match on Saturday. But the 54-year-old believes the West Indies will provide a much sterner test when they meet at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Led by flamboyant opener Chris Gayle, who thumped 50 runs off 34 balls, the West Indies wasted little time polishing off Pakistan by seven wickets after bowling them out for 105 in their first match. It was an impressive show of strength from the two-time champions and Waugh is intrigued to see how Australia fare against one of the tournament's most talented but unpredictable teams.

"The West Indies will provide a more realistic gauge on how the team are tracking, for they possess a squad full of matchwinners that can dominate if they gain any sense of ascendency in a match," Waugh wrote in a column on the International Cricket Council's media page. "They are the most watchable team in the tournament with a batting line-up that can kidnap any bowling attack with brute force. No ground is big enough when this behemoth of a batting order clicks into overdrive but they also have a vulnerability against high-quality bowling as they tend to play one dimensional at times."

As well as their powerful batsmen, two-time World Cup winner Waugh was also impressed by the West Indies' pace attack, which bludgeoned Pakistan into submission with a bouncer barrage. Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas and Jason Holder proved too hot for Pakistan to handle and Waugh said: "For the first time in a long while they have fast-bowling depth.

"Every side in this tournament will be wary of playing the Windies and I wouldn't want to face them in a knockout match. They are the sort of team that, if they get on a roll and build some momentum, then they could win it all."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Manjunath Kiran