Australia were indebted to Mitchell Johnson's maiden one-day international half-century as they recovered from a mid-innings collapse to post 275 for eight in their opening Champions Trophy match against West Indies.

Australia had been given a solid start on a tricky Wanderers wicket by their skipper Ricky Ponting who hit 79, but he was one of five wickets to fall for just 51 runs midway through the innings as Australia plunged to 171 for seven against the West Indies' second-stringers.

Johnson rescued the situation, however, as he smashed his way to an unbeaten 73 from just 49 balls, in an innings that included eight fours and three sixes.

Shane Watson was bowled from the first ball of the game when he was beaten by an inswinging yorker from Kemar Roach before Ponting and Tim Paine negotiated the tricky early conditions with a stand of 85.

Paine had been dropped by West Indies wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton when he was on 16, but eventually fell for a watchful 33, from 59 balls, when he offered the gloveman the chance to redeem himself off David Bernard.

Ponting belied the conditions to bring up his half-century from 62 balls but when Mike Hussey (six) departed soon after, top-edging Bernard to Andre Fletcher at fine leg, it triggered a collapse.

The key wicket of Ponting fell when he was stumped by Walton off the impressive Nikita Miller (two for 24), who then also turned one through the defences of Cameron White (two).

Roach returned to bowl Callum Ferguson (20) before Darren Sammy induced an edge from Hopes (five) to leave Australia on 171 for seven in the 40th over and in danger of posting an inadequate total.

But Johnson and Brett Lee got Australia out of their sticky situation with a 70-run stand from 52 balls.

Johnson viciously pulled Sammy over mid-wicket and the ropes from consecutive balls before the stand was ended when Lee (25) was needlessly run out attempting a third run after Walton had chased a ball down to third man.

Johnson brought up his first ODI half-century in the penultimate over from Bernard, which cost 21 runs, and when a further 13 were added in the last, from Sammy, the recovery mission was complete.