Australia's fast bowlers are intent on bowling straight at Gayle this one-day series and denying him any room outside off stump in a bid to curb the batsman who effectively carries his side's hopes on his broad shoulders.

Doug Bollinger's dismissal of Gayle for seven on Sunday night at the MCG was a resounding win for Australia in the first of the five-match series, given the frailties of the West Indies batting behind the hard-hitting opener. Australia could not curtail Gayle's influence in last year's Test series, when he scored two centuries and was man of the series despite the home side's 2-0 triumph.

But Australia claims it now knows how to bowl better at the Jamaican, and after a 113-run win at the MCG, says it has his measure entering today's second game at Adelaide Oval, which is notable for its short boundaries square of the wicket.

All-rounder Shane Watson said, ''You don't want to give him room to be able to swing his arms. Dougie bowled beautifully to him, there was a little bit of swing there as well for him, with a little bit of extra bounce with that new ball.

''It's always going to be pretty difficult if we're bowling [well], especially Dougie bowling exactly where he wants to.

''That is our plan, to be able to keep him tucked up and hope that he might hit a pull shot in the air or go for one shot too many.

''He is a key wicket so we've got to make sure we're really on our game every time we bowl to him.''

Watson said the Australians noticed the impact they had on the West Indies youngsters when they removed Gayle early, along with big-hitting all-rounder Kieron Pollard.

Bollinger, who took 2-18 on Sunday night, said yesterday the good form of fast bowlers around the country had created healthy competition within the ranks.

''It keeps everyone on their toes and that's a good thing because you're growing that extra 10 per cent for your spot,'' he said.