Australia's hopes of claiming the Champions Trophy for the first time faded with a dramatic batting collapse in its opening match, losing to the West Indies by 10 runs.

Jerome Taylor sealed the win by completing a hat-trick in the final over.

Defending champions the West Indies came from the clouds after Australia were seemingly cruising at 5-206 after 46 overs, chasing 235 for victory.

Australia finished on 9-224, led by Adam Gilchrist's 92 and Michael Clarke's 47.

Taylor removed Mike Hussey (13) and Brett Lee (0) in successive balls in the 48th over after Brian Lara's side had to come through the qualifying round to reach the main draw.

Brad Hogg was the last wicket to fall for 10, bowled by Taylor (4-49) in the final over.

The upset loss leaves Australia in a difficult position, with matches to come against England and host India in Group A.

Gilchrist left the field slapping his bat angrily on his pad after he was run out in the 42nd over following a mix-up with Clarke.

The pair had put on 101 for the fifth wicket to rescue Australia's innings but Gilchrist's dismissal eight runs short of his 15th one-day international hundred brought Mike Hussey to the crease at a delicate stage.

Clarke's dismissal for 47 at 6-206 brought Hogg to the crease, with 29 required off 4.5 overs.

Suddenly fans were cheering every dot ball the Australians produced and Taylor brought it all home for the dancing Windies.

Australia lost opener Shane Watson for a duck and skipper Ricky Ponting for one inside the first four overs.

Watson, who had been given his chance at opener ahead of the axed Simon Katich, mis-timed a pull shot off Ian Bradshaw and offered a simple chance to mid-wicket.

Ponting dragged a short ball from Taylor onto his leg stump at 2-17 and Damien Martyn was soon staggering from the crease after wearing a short ball from Taylor on the helmet.

Martyn was caught at cover for 17 off Bradshaw and Andrew Symonds was out at 4-81 in the 20th over, bowled by Chris Gayle for 18 after aiming a wild slog to leg.

A century stand between an ailing Brian Lara and unlikely hero Runako Morton earlier lifted West Indies to the competitive total of 6-234.

Lara didn't take the field in Australia's innings, struck down by what a team spokesman said was a back complaint, while an ICC spokesman said the problem was cramp.

The spirited Windies fought on strongly despite their squad being reduced to the bare 11 players after Lara went down, Corey Collymore was away attending the birth of his child in the West Indies and Shivnarine Chanderpaul was out with food poisoning.

Paceman Brett Lee provided an early highlight for the tournament favourite by becoming the third Australian to claim 250 wickets in one-day internationals and finished with 1-45 in the hot and humid conditions.

Lara made 71 off 94 balls and put on 137 with Morton after the defending champions had been 4-63.

Morton top-scored with 90 not out from 103 balls.

The Australians could be forgiven for not expecting fireworks from Morton, who produced the world's slowest duck in a 31-ball knock in the final of the DLF Cup against Ponting's side in Malaysia last month.

NSW left-armer Nathan Bracken was Australia's only multiple wicket-taker with 2-42.

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