A typically aggressive 88 by West Indies skipper Chris Gayle helped his team thump Australia by seven wickets at the Oval.

Comprehensively beaten in the Test and one-day series against England, few people would have given West Indies much of a chance against an Australian side strongly favoured to win the tournament.

But after restricting Australia to 169 for seven after they won the toss and decided to bat first, West Indies cruised to a superb seven-wicket victory with 25 balls to spare after blistering half-centuries from Chris Gayle and fellow opener Andre Fletcher.

It may not have registered as such a big a shock as minnows Holland beating England last night, but it leaves Sri Lanka, West Indies and Australia scrambling to secure the two qualification places from Group C to reach the Super Eight stage.

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Such was the comprehensive nature of Australia's defeat, their hopes of qualification will be severely damaged if run-rate becomes a factor in deciding the final outcome of the group.

Reeling from their decision to send all-rounder Andrew Symonds home for an "alcohol-related incident" on Thursday, Australia were given no respite and slumped to 15 for three inside four overs following an eventful first over from Jerome Taylor including three wides.

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Opener Shane Watson drove the third ball of the match to mid-off and captain Ponting fell to his first legitimate ball lbw while Michael Clarke guided Fidel Edwards to third man in the next over to leave Australia reeling.

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They were able to overcome such a start and reach a respectable score largely due to a determined half-century from opener David Warner, whose 63 off 53 balls ensured Australia did not completely capitulate.

Warner found an ally in wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who helped Australia recover with a 66-run stand which allowed their middle order to play with a greater expression during the closing overs.

Haddin fell by mis-timing a drive to mid-wicket and Warner's innings was ended when he drove to extra cover, setting the stage for David and Mike Hussey to propel Australia to a competitive target in the final overs.

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David did his best by hitting three sixes in his 27 off 16 balls before being caught at long on, but it was Mike's unbeaten 28 off 15 balls which proved valuable, including 16 off the final over.

Facing a testing but by no means formidable target, West Indies virtually settled the issue by the end of the five overs of fielding restrictions with Gayle and Fletcher racing to 71 without loss.

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Gayle was particularly fearsome, hammering 27 off the fifth over of the innings from Brett Lee which included three sixes and two fours and dominated a 133-run opening stand off just 76 balls - the third highest partnership in Twenty20 international history.

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Fletcher fell for a sparkling 53 from 32 balls by driving Mitchell Johnson to extra cover, but Gayle continued his onslaught and was finally dismissed with West Indies only 13 runs away from victory.

The West Indies captain hammered six fours and six sixes during his explosive 88 off 50 balls and his departure inevitably signalled a slowing in the scoring rate but such was their start, they could celebrate an overdue victory on English soil with several overs to spare.