PERTH: Marnus Labuschagne cracked a masterful unbeaten 154 whilst Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith hit 50s as a dominant Australia took keep an eye on of the hole Take a look at towards the West Indies at Perth Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts reached an ominous 293-2 at stumps on day one following captain Pat Cummins’ determination to bat in scorching and dry stipulations.
The entire used to be constructed off the again of a 142-run stand between Labuschagne and Khawaja, who got here in combination after David Warner used to be out for 5, then an unbeaten 142 with Smith. A centered Labuschagne, who survived possibilities on 75 and 137, introduced up his 8th century in his twenty ninth Take a look at and with the in-form Smith unbeaten on 59 the omens aren’t excellent for the guests, who’ve didn’t win a Take a look at in Australia for 25 years.
“Whilst you end the day at round 300 for two, you are feeling excellent. It used to be great to construct partnerships during the day,” stated Labuschagne. “Scoring a Take a look at hundred any time is astounding, so so as to do it within the first Take a look at of the summer season can expectantly set you up for this sport, and in addition the summer season. “It used to be all concerning the procedure, construct all of your sport round it and don’t fear about the rest,” he added.
The West Indies bowled with a lot of self-discipline in entrance of simply 10,929 spectators, however the possibilities had been few and a long way between. Once you have the early wicket of Warner for 5, they needed to toil for hours within the warmth to bag any other, with Khawaja compiling 65 ahead of edging Kyle Mayers to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva simply ahead of lunch. “We bowled neatly in spurts, however we didn’t get the breaks,” stated West Indies trainer Phil Simmons.
“We’ll glance to get a few wickets early the following day and take a look at and peg them again that approach. Although they get 450 we’re nonetheless in it as a result of I feel the wicket appears to be like love it can recuperate.” Labuschagne and Khawaja got here in combination after Warner fell to younger paceman Jayden Seales, and rarely put a foot unsuitable. They needed to paintings arduous within the opening consultation of the primary Take a look at between the perimeters for just about seven years, attaining 72-1 at lunch. However they speeded up after the smash with Labuschagne citing his 50 with a 3 off Jason Holder.
A faultless Khawaja, who has been a rock on the best of the order this yr, quickly adopted, cracking spinner Roston Chase for 4 after which a unmarried to achieve his 18th half-century in his 52nd Take a look at. Khawaja had scored 4 Take a look at centuries and reached the 90s two times within the remaining one year, with extra glory beckoning. However he used to be undone through a stupendous supply from Mayers, which trimmed the out of doors fringe of his bat and used to be a very easy take for Da Silva. Undeterred, Labuschagne powered to 3 figures from 192 balls, hitting the milestone along with his thirteenth boundary.
Smith has reverted to a extra orthodox batting taste which noticed him rating 94 and an unbeaten 80 in Australia’s contemporary one-day sequence towards England, and he once more appeared in excellent nick. The 33-year-old used to be untroubled as he swept to a thirty seventh Take a look at 50, eyeing any other century to attract stage with the good Donald Bradman on 29. Dressed in black armbands to mourn former West Indies wicketkeeper David Murray, who died remaining week, the guests stored Warner and Khawaja in test within the opening overs. Warner’s first attacking shot noticed Seales pulled for a boundary within the fourth over.
However the left-hander’s aggression price him subsequent ball as attempted to pressure a much wider supply simplest to pull it again onto his stumps. The West Indies suffered a blow ahead of the fit with allrounder Raymon Reifer dominated out after choosing up a groin harm. They passed a debut to batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of retired nice Shivnarine. Most sensible-ranked Australia made only one trade from their remaining Take a look at towards Sri Lanka in July, with speedster Josh Hazlewood in for spinner Mitchell Swepson. – AFP