Shane Watson (AP)

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Castries, St Lucia  - Veterans Shane Watson and Michael Hussey eased Australia to victory in the first Twenty20 international with hosts West Indies here on Tuesday.

Both Watson and Hussey hit half centuries with the former - who stood in as skipper for injured captain Michael Clarke during the one day series but stepped down for this format - scoring 69.

Hussey was unbeaten on 59 as the tourists coasted to victory with 11 balls remaining thanks to a fine century partnership by him and Watson after opener David Warner was out for a duck.

After electing to bat, the West Indies had made 150-7 in the first of the two-match series against Australia at Beausejour Cricket Ground.

The modest total owed much to a swashbuckling 26-ball knock of 54 from Kieron Pollard that featured two fours and five sixes - four of those coming off consecutive balls in the 16th and 17th overs - and off 20 balls was the fastest half century by a West Indian batsman in this format.

He beat former West Indies captain Chris Gayle's half century off 23 balls against Australia in 2009.

Daniel Christian was the tourists' most effective bowler, taking three wickets for 27 runs.

Scorers:

West Indies 150-7 off 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 54 not out, Johnson Charles 24, Nkrumah Bonner 24; Dwayne Bravo 14, Darren Bravo 12, Dwayne Smith 10; Daniel Christian 3-27, Brett Lee 2-30, Shane Watson 1-16).

Australia 153-2 off 18.1 overs (Watson 69, Michael Hussey 59 not out, George Bailey 21 not out; Krishmar Santokie 1-27, Garey Mathurin 1-33).