Scores Upcoming Results
10-Apr-2012 02:53:00 GMT
West Indies v Australia, 1st Test, Bridgetown, 3rd day

Clarke Fights But West Indies Still on Top

Bridgetown: West Indies held the upper hand at the end of the third day of the first Test as they reduced Australia to 248 for 5, still trailing by 201 runs.

Only a solid 73 by captain Michael Clarke and a typically stubborn unbeaten 47 by veteran Mike Hussey at least all but ensured that the Aussies would avoid the follow-on.

The day started well for the home side and, in particular, for their captain Darren Sammy.

Following his positive batting display on Sunday, he brought himself on to open the bowling.

Having added only one run to his overnight score of 13, Ed Cowan was drawn into a shot to a ball just outside off stump and edged through to the keeper.

Shane Watson, batting for the first time in a Test at number three, was fortunate to survive twice when he had scored five.

He left a Sammy delivery alone that came back and hit his pad outside off stump but the DRS result went in favour of the batsman, but only just.

Next over Kemar Roach also appealed for an lbw decision that was turned down but replays showed that, on appeal, Watson would have been on his way.

Sammy's persevering line just outside off stump worked again when David Warner, having scored 42 off 55 balls, played at a ball without much foot movement and Darren Bravo took the catch at second slip.

After the early scares Watson had settled but when he turned a Fidel Edwards delivery to fine leg he was looking for a second run which would have been tight.

After running the first Ricky Ponting hadn't moved as Kraigg Brathwaite pounced on the ball and threw in one movement.

There was so much confusion between the two batsmen that Ponting was given out without a referral being necessary.

Devendra Bishoo's leg breaks were causing few problems but in the 36th over one stayed low and when Clarke, on 21, cut at the ball the West Indies went up for a catch behind.

Umpire Tony Hill gave it out but Clarke immediately called for the DRS.

There was quite a bit of surprise when TV Umpire Marais Erasmus over-turned the on-field decision as there didn't appear to be conclusive evidence in favour of Clarke.

The second ball after lunch, Watson played a loose drive at a Roach delivery outside off stump and got a thick edge through to Carlton Baugh.

The dismissal put the West Indies firmly in charge with Australia 133-4.

The West Indies knew how important Clarke's wicket would be and when Kemar Roach struck his pad when he'd scored 31 they were quick to use the review system.

It was a poor move as the ball was clearly missing the stumps and the home side had used both of their reviews.

Hussey was playing the perfect support role for Clarke.

Brief scores
West Indies
449 for 9 dec (Chanderpaul 103*, K Edwards 61, Brathwaite 57, Bravo 51)
Australia 248 for 5 (Clarke 73, Hussey 47*)
Status Australia trail by 201 runs


Scores Upcoming Results
Related links

Top