Windies crumble to pace but strike back to grab two – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor)
West Indies struck back to grab two wickets by the close, but it was a day dominated by Australia’s bowlers who laid the platform for an early end to the first Test in Adelaide.
The Summer of cricket appears bleak and boring as the under strength West Indies crashed to a predictable 188 all out to put Australia in the driving seat for a early finish to the first Test in Adelaide.
Footy fans will undoubtedly be counting the days for the start of the AFL season with little expectation of a West Indian challenge unlike the Pakistan series that had plenty of interest.
There is much speculation in cricketing circles about the West Indies thinking and why they would plan a tour against the World’s best with a side had nothing to suggest they would be competitive.
Australia have proved to be merciless as they cement their position at the top of the world rankings with only India seemingly being the only team capable of matching it with them. The gulf between them and the rest is enormous.
The team sent out appears terrified against pace, their batters flailing and falling to desperate and hopeless strokeplay that had absolutely no confidence.
If not for a gallant rearguard action from tailendenders Shamar Joseph and Keamar Roach who gave them respectability by bludgeoning 55 for the last wicket the story would have been close to catastrophic.
Joseph on debut, ended a satisfying day making a valuable 36 off 41 balls then claimed the important wickets of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in a fine allround effort. He is a potential rags to riches story that promises to unfold in the future.
Only McKenzie showed some fight with a composed half century. The rest were over cautious and defensive, most of them clueless, against an intimidating and relentless Australian attack bringing back memories of an era when the West Indies pace battery terrorised batsmen around the world.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins led the first innings rout taking the first two wickets before Josh Hazelwood joined the party to have them at a hopeless 7 for 133 and the end was quickly imminent.
Cummins grabbed four, Hazelwood four and Stark and Nathan Lyon one to compete a satisfying day’s work.
Keeping Australia’s lead to a minimum will be key to the contest. The Windies bowlers showed plenty of discipline in their defence by the close.
Australia ended on 59 for 2 at the end of the day’s play from 22 overs.
