Windies 'statement' follows crushing Head blow

1 year ago 91

After Australia declared its innings closed with 598 runs connected the committee successful Perth, buoyed by 2 treble centuries and a 99, you could person been forgiven for presuming the West Indies batters would get their accidental successful the mediate and driblet similar flies.

Long gone are the days successful which the mightiness of the West Indies had absorption teams trembling with fear, and Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon harvester for a spectacular bowling unit.

But what followed was a tremendous 25-over absorption from West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who ensured the tourists reached stumps connected time 2 of the archetypal Test astatine 0-74.

AS IT HAPPENED: First Test, time two

Chanderpaul, contempt being rocked by a vicious Josh Hazlewood transportation to the groin, finished the time with 47 runs from 73 balls, and Brathwaite compiled 18 from 79.

"A connection from the West Indies," Ian Smith said connected the Fox Cricket coverage.

"A small circular of applause from (West Indies icon) Brian Lara down the extremity of the commentary box."

Kerry O'Keeffe was besides near marvelling.

"We saw 2 treble centuries, a superb 99 from Travis Head, yet the speech is each of this brace — and truthful beryllium it," O'Keeffe said.

"Tremendous effort by the openers. Take a bow, boys."

The magnificent opening concern followed treble centuries by Marnus Labuschagne, who peeled disconnected 204 from 350, and Steve Smith, who made 200 from 311.

Smith posted his 29th Test period to adjacent the tally of Sir Donald Bradman.

Windies debutant deed successful the groin

Travis Head batted brilliantly but volition spell to furniture lamenting a escaped shot, having chopped a Brathwaite transportation onto the stumps connected 99.

One shot aft Smith brought up his treble ton with a prod to constituent disconnected Brathwaite's bowling, Head fell portion trying to tally the shot to 3rd man.

"It's unbelievable," Lara said.

"He indispensable beryllium very, precise disappointed, Travis Head."

But there's nary denying the large dominance of Australia's presumption successful the archetypal Test.

Two Australians scored 200 oregon much successful the aforesaid Test innings for lone the 5th clip successful history, with Labuschagne and Smith becoming the archetypal brace to bash truthful since Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke successful 2012.

While Australia is gunning for triumph successful the opening Test of the summer, the lucifer has realistically reached a constituent wherever the West Indies' champion effect imaginable is simply a draw.

"I consciousness similar if Australia bash get a wicket ... it volition beryllium precise hard for a caller batsman to travel successful against that benignant of prime of bowling," Mark Waugh said.

"We got it bully and afloat and we got driven a mates of times, which is fine," Josh Hazlewood said.

"We gave it a accidental and they batted well, to their credit."

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