Published:
Friday, June 5, 2015
A spectacular West Indies collapse of seven wickets for 35 runs gave Australia a nine-wicket victory in the first Test of the Sir Frank Worrell series at Windsor Park, Dominica on June 5.
Though well-placed on 181 for three after two good knocks by Shane Dowrich (70) and Marlon Samuels (72), the West Indies eventually capitulated for 216 runs to set Australia a winning target of 47 runs which they knocked off with two days to spare.
Australia rocketed to victory off just five overs, reaching 47/1, the only casualty being David Warner (28). When the victory came Shaun Marsh was not out on 13 and Steve Smith on five.
Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson proved too much for the locals, as they used pace and accuracy to end a fightback which saw the West Indies losing just one wicket for the first 61 overs of the day. Starc finished with 4/28, while Johnson took two wickets and Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood finished with two apiece.
Earlier, West Indies resumed on the overnight position of 25 for two and within the first half-hour, Australia was celebrating, as Warner flew through the air at mid-off to pull in an expansive drive from Darren Bravo. He left for five and the West Indies, needing to start the day positively, slipped to 37 for three.
Overnight batsman Dowrich then joined forces with the senior Samuels and with a bit of luck and patience, they were able to take the score to 97 for three at lunch. As they trudged off Samuels had 26 to his account, while Dowrich who up until then had faced 101 balls, was unbeaten on 31.
The curried goat for lunch must have gone down well, as Samuels and Dowrich returned and played attractive cricket. They took the fight to the Aussies and their main weapon Lyon was tamed. Samuels took cue from his younger partner and started dancing down the pitch to the spinner, lifting him many times over the infield.
While the Jamaican danced to Lyon, the Dominicans in the stands were doing the bele. Life in rustic Roseau was good. Not having much to cheer about in this match so far, the fans greeted Samuels' twenty-second Test fifty with much gusto. He faced 115 balls and struck four fours and a six in the effort.
Soon after, Oistins stood still as Johnson ran in from the Pavilion End to Dowrich on 49. The plucky little right-hander got back and played an imperious pull through mid-wicket for four, and the fisher folk were in their glee.
Samuels and Dowrich continued to battle well until five minutes before tea, when the latter finally fell for a well-played 70. He faced 185 balls, struck five fours and a six. Dowrich’s association with Samuels was worth 144 runs in one ball short of 50 overs.
But his dismissal was the beginning of the end for the home team, as Jermaine Blackwood and Samuels soon fell to poor shots.
With the pitch allowing generous turn, Blackwood ran down to spinner Lyon and was stumped for 12. Samuels essayed a pull shot from outside off stump and carried it to deep backward square leg where Starc held a fine catch. His innings of 72 occupied 184 balls with seven fours and a six.
Soon after his exit, skipper Denesh Ramdin continued his wretched match when he played on to Lyon for three.
The bandwagon now shifts to Jamaica where the second and final Test will begin on Wednesday.
SCOREBOARD
WI vs Australia
WI inns 148 all out
Australia inns 318 all out
WI 2nd inns (overnight 25/2)
S Hope c Clarke b Johnson*2
K Brathwaite b Starc*15
D Bravo c Warner b Hazlewood*5
S Dowrich c Watson b Hazlewood*70
M Samuels c Starc b Johnson*72
J Blackwood st Haddin b Lyon*12
D Ramdin b Lyon*3
J Holder not out*12
J Taylor lbw Starc*0
D Bishoo b Starc*1
S Gabriel b Starc*0
Extras lb10, b11, w1*22
Total all out*216
Fall of wkts: 21, 21, 37, 181, 198, 198, 206, 206, 216, 216.
Bowling: M Johnson 15-3-38-2, M Starc 18-7-28-4, J Hazlewood 16-7-17-2, N Lyon 24-7-67-2, S Smith 2-0-16-0, S Watson 7-3-6-0, A Voges 2-0-15-0, M Clarke 2-0-8-0.
Australia 2nd inns
S March not out*13
D Warner c Bravo b Taylor*28
S Smith not out*5
Extras nb1*1
Total for 1 wkt*47
Fall of wkts:42.
Bowling: J Taylor 3-0-22-1, S Gabriel 2-0-25-0.
Result: Australia won by 9 wkts.
Australia leads series 1-0.
Man of the match: Adam Voges.