Warner, Starc star as Australia floor West Indies

An explosive David Warner slammed 75 and Mitchell Starc grabbed four wickets as Australia beat the West Indies by 31 runs Friday to clinch the Twenty20 series 2-0 in the build-up to defending their World Cup title.

Scorecard

The home team were cruising at 95-1, but they lost three wickets for five runs, including Warner, as the visitors got back into contention.

The dangerous Tim David came to the rescue with an entertaining 42 off 20 balls, including three big sixes, to steer them to 178-7.

"It was a fantastic all round performance and well executed by the bowlers. At the halfway mark we had discussed about bowling Test match lines and lengths, and they nailed them," said man-of-the-match Warner.

Skipper Aaron Finch added: "The difference in the game was Davey and David."

The hosts clinched the first match by three wickets, and the West Indies wanted a win in what was their last game before the World Cup, where they face Scotland in the preliminary round first-up on October 17.

But they managed just 147-8 in reply, with Starc taking 4-20, his best figures in a T20.

"Tough to lose, but they played better cricket," said West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran. "We are getting accustomed to the conditions, putting our ego aside and working on the team plans."

They had few answers to Warner, who punished anything short at the Gabba in Brisbane, hitting 10 fours and three sixes in his 41-ball blitz.

Finch was on the teamsheet to open alongside Warner after coming in at four in the first game, but after Australia were sent into bat it was Cameron Green who again strode to the crease.

And for a second match, the all-rounder failed to fire, out for one.

Finch was first drop as Australia continue to experiment ahead of the World Cup, and he