Let down McGrath drives Australia to controversial victory Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday August 03, 1999 09:14 AM   Glenn McGrath returned the best bowling figures of the World Cup, a devastating spell of three wickets in 13 balls. Clive Mason/Allsport MANCHESTER, England (CNN/SI) -- The match between Australia and the West Indies, previewed as one of the highlights of group play at the World Cup, quickly became a one-sided affair Sunday as fast bowler Glenn McGrath led the charge, taking 5-14. The match ended in controversy as Australia deliberately slowed down in the final overs with victory in sight, in a bid to make it difficult for rival New Zealand to reach the Super Six from Group A. The Aussies' six-wicket victory Sunday sends them to the next round of the competition. The West Indies were bundled out for a paltry 110, with only two batsmen reaching double figures. Australia, with Curtly Ambrose in full flight, was tottering at 62 for four but captain Steve Waugh, with 19, and Michael Bevan, 20, saw them home. Under competition rules, Australia would take two points from the first round if West Indies got through. But Australia would enter the Super Six with no points if New Zealand beats Scotland handsomely in their final group B match on Monday and qualifies because they have a better run rate than West Indies. The Old Trafford crowd booed and gave Waugh and Bevan the slow handclap as they inched to victory and it was appropriate that Australia got the winning run off a no ball. Australia won in 40.4 overs after Waugh and Ponting had taken 21 overs over their 49-run partnership. Waugh was unashamed about his tactics. Waugh was unashamed about his go-slow. "Obviously we had to make the run rate as hard as possible for New Zealand. They make the rules and we have to do as we see fit." West Indies captain Brian Lara, visibly angered by suggestions of collusion with the Australians, told reporters: "I don't want to hear anything like that. Cricket isn't played like that." Asked if he would have behaved in a similar way, Lara replied: "I refuse to answer that question." He denied he was embarrassed at the way that the match ended. Sides take into the second round the points they gained during the first round against other qualifiers. ECB Technical Director Hugh Morris told reporters cricket officials were aware teams might use the go-slow tactic. He said a similar situation -- in which a team deliberately seeks to improve the opposition's run rate -- could happen again in the Super Six stage. New Zealand's Chris Cairns said his side would have done the same as Australia in the circumstances. Put in to bat by Australia, opener Ridley Jacobs' patient 49 not out was a contrast to the rest of the West Indies top order whose techniques failed the examination set by McGrath and legspinner Shane Warne, who finished with three for 11. McGrath, under attack for his poor performances so far, returned the best bowling figures of this World Cup that comprised a devastating spell of three wickets in 13 balls. First he had Sherwin Campbell caught at second slip by Mark Waugh for two and he then trapped Jimmy Adams leg before wicket as he faced his first ball The lanky paceman failed in his hat trick attempt but he grabbed the invaluable wicket of West Indies captain Brian Lara, beating the left-hander for speed and removing his off bail. Lara has had a miserable World Cup so far, with his biggest score being 36 against New Zealand. Jacobs put on 44 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the fourth wicket before Chanderpaul became the first of Warne's victims when he dragged a wide ball back onto his stumps. Waugh paid tribute to Warne, who reintroduced his feared "flipper" into his bowling repertoire, unused since he had an operation on his finger last year. "It's a dangerous sign for an opposing side when he starts to use it," he said. Stuart Williams was the fifth man down with the score on 67 when he made a hash of an attempted pull and lobbed the ball to Mark Waugh at mid on. Phil Simmons was the last recognized batsman to be dismissed when he was bowled by Damien Fleming and the West Indies slumped to 71 for eight. Jacobs coaxed the tail-enders past the 100 mark to become the first opener to carry his bat through a completed innings in World Cup history. Australia had an early shock when Ambrose had Mark Waugh caught behind. Adam Gilchrist then chopped an Ambrose delivery onto his stumps. Lehmann was Ambrose's third victim when Jimmy Adams took a stunning single-handed catch at point. The veteran pace bowler ended with three for 31 from 10 overs in what could well be his last appearance on the World Cup stage With four wickets down, Waugh and Michael Bevan then embarked on their curious partnership. Both teams knew before Australia batted that achieving an Australian victory slowly -- in around 45 overs -- would make it difficult for New Zealand to qualify.   Related information Stories Australia looking to qualify Australia takes on Windies, mathematics Australia beats Bangladesh by seven wickets Windies confirm that Marshall had tumor removed West Indies' Lara says his team may have an edge Multimedia Australia's bowling was the key to victory.   • Start(1.37 M .MOV) Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV. Reuters contributed to this report.

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