Ricky Ponting has revealed just how highly his Australia side values Chris Gayle's wicket, stating that once the West Indies captain was out the tourists had almost no chance of victory.
Ponting, who's man-of-the-match effort of 106 runs from 112 balls catapulted Australia to 324 - the highest ever total at the Gabba - in Brisbane said that after a brilliant batting performance and taking Gayle's wicket the result was little more than a formality.
"Gayle came out really hard, the way he probably had to play chasing that total," said Ponting, whose side won by 50 runs.
"We stuck at things really well there and got that wicket.
"Pretty much when we got that (Gayle), I thought we were home.
"Twenty five overs in (to the West Indies innings) the game was over.
"Even with (Kieron) Pollard and (Dwayne) Smith, I think the game was well and truly over."
As Australia sit just three games away from a perfect undefeated summer at home, Ponting was understandably delighted with his side's continued good form, and particularly their brilliant batting performance.
"It was a good win again," he added.
"To bat first and post that sort of total was really satisfying. Posting the highest total ever at the Gabba was a great result and great reward for the team.
"I thought the batting group were terrific then we did what we needed to do with the ball."
Ponting's knock was the first Australian ton against the West Indies in the series, and the classy number three credited hard work and coming to the crease at an opportune time for his brilliant innings.
"I've been working pretty hard with the coach on a few little things," he said.
"The first series against Pakistan I was in at the end of power play overs and trying to force things on a little bit, and if not, it was just after the power play had finished and it's hard to hit boundaries at that stage.
"I have felt more comfortable at the crease the last half a dozen games that I've played, and the numbers probably indicate that as well.
"(It) was my turn to make sure that I got a big score and we didn't let another one of those opportunities slip."
