Cricket: Five-star Starc seals Australia win over West Indies

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 Australia's Mitchell Starc at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reuters) - Fast bowler Mitchell Starc produced a devastating display of death bowling as Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs at Trent Bridge for their second consecutive win in the Cricket World Cup on Thursday.

Chasing 289 for victory, West Indies got off to a poor start before Shai Hope (68) and Nicholas Pooran (40) laid the platform for the power-hitters, but the Starc-led Australian attack kept them on a tight leash, restricting them to 273-9.

After leg-spinner Adam Zampa removed Pooran, fast bowler Pat Cummins had Hope caught at mid-on in the 35th over to deliver a body blow to the Windies who never recovered.

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 Australia's Mitchell Starc in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Starc claimed Jason Holder (51), Carlos Brathwaite and Sheldon Cottrell in the final five overs to finish with 5-46 in his 10 overs.

Earlier, Nathan Coulter-Nile struck the highest World Cup score for a number eight batsman as his 92 took Australia to a competitive total after they lost their first five wickets for 79 runs.

Steve Smith (73) played the anchor role to perfection, combining with Coulter-Nile to stage a rescue act with a 102-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 Australia's Nathan Coulter-Nile scores a four Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 Australia's Steve Smith looks dejected as he walks off the pitch after his wicket is taken by West Indies' Oshane Thomas Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 West Indies' Chris Gayle in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 West Indies' Sheldon Cottrell celebrates with Chris Gayle and team mates after catching out Australia's Steve Smith Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 Australia's Nathan Coulter-Nile in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 Australia's Alex Carey scores a four Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 West Indies' Jason Holder catches to ball to dismiss Australia's Mitchell Starc Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 West Indies' Andre Russell celebrates taking the wicket of Australia's Usman Khawaja Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia v West Indies - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - June 6, 2019 Australia's Glenn Maxwell walks off the pitch after his wicket is taken by West Indies' Sheldon Cottrell Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers