England’s extraordinary victory over Pakistan excited the cricket world, but Australia also made their mark with an impressive win over the West Indies in their first Test of the summer.
Some 5,300 miles southeast of Rawalpindi, the scene of one of England’s greatest ever overseas victories under pioneers Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, Australia defeated the determined West Indies by 164 runs in Perth.
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The build-up has been marred by the recent outburst from Justin Langer, who suggested some of his former players were “cowards” for complaining about him in the media.
Captain Pat Cummins responded by insisting there were no distractions, and it was proven when Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith hit great double hundreds to propel Australia to an impressive first-innings aggregate of 598-4.
Their bowlers met some resistance in the form of debutant Tagearine Chanderpaul, son of legendary hitter Shivnarine, and opening partner Kraigg Brathwaite before limiting Phil Simmons’ side to 333, with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins each winning three wickets.
The hosts turned their advantage home in the second innings, with Labuschagne becoming the eighth man in history and the third Australian to score a double century and a century in the same Test.
The declaration came shortly after he reached the milestone, with Australia West Indies holding a record 498 for an unlikely win. The Tourists started the final day 192-3 and needed another 306 for their first win on Australian soil since 1997.
“We have five tests and I want to make sure I’m available for all five.”
– Cummins
Brathwaite and Chanderpaul have campaigned again, with the debutant interfering and the captain scoring his 11th Test century before being bowled for 110 by Lyon. His dismissal was the beginning of the end for a spirited West Indian who has lost his last five wickets for 121 runs, with Lyon finishing 6-128.
The spinner took his 443rd Test wicket on the final day, moving past Ravichandran Ashwin to eighth in the men’s all-time wicket list. He is also just one wicket away from overtaking Shane Warne to become the most successful bowler at the Adelaide Oval.
West Indies have notable victories against England and Bangladesh this year but have been clearly beaten by an Australian side who top the rankings and World Cup standings.
The only setback for the hosts, who will welcome South Africa to a three-Test streak in December, was the quad burden, which Cummins sidelined for the fourth inning as they pushed for the win.
Nathan Lyon took six wickets as Australia won the first Test in Perth
Former captain Steve Smith led the team in his absence and Ashes hero Scott Boland took his place as a backup fielder.
“It’s just a small exposure, so usually about a week,” Cummins said. “If you bowl, you make it worse and you can make it [a] longer [recovery]. I’m going to spend the next few days doing rehab to get it right and I think there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be good for Adelaide.
“We have five tests [taking into account the West Indies and South Africa Tests] and I want to make sure I’m available for all five. It’s always like that. but [after] Many of the tryouts leave you with absolutely nothing left in the tank.
Australia have boosted their pace bowling opportunities by calling up Lance Morris and Michael Neser for the second Test in Adelaide.
Morris appeared in a tour game against England at WACA five years ago and has become one of Australia’s fastest bowlers, regularly hitting 90mph for Western Australia.
The 24-year-old has had a strong Sheffield Shield season in which he is the leading wicket-taker and his rise is a testament to the depth of fast bowlers in Australia.
Kraigg Brathwaite hit a good hundred in the second innings at Optus Stadium
Neser was also drafted after a successful start to the national season where he has won 24 wickets at 2.50pm in five games for Queensland. His only friendly came in the second Ashes match against England in Adelaide last December when he replaced Cummins.
Boland is most likely to be represented if Cummins is out, with the cult hero returning as part of his international career after averaging a 9.55 in the last three Ashes Tests.
West Indies assess the fitness of several players ahead of the day-night test with concerns for Kemar Roach, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers and Jayden Seales.
Anderson Phillip and uncovered Marquino Mindley are ready to step in as they look to bolster an attack that required just six wickets in Perth.
“We’re playing against the best team in the world”
– Roddy Estwick
Ahead of the second test, assistant coach Roddy Estwick said: “They are without a doubt playing against the best team in the world.
“You can’t bum. I know everyone has seen how England play and I think that’s the way to go. Well, that’s the way they want to go, nice of them, but we know we have to be as patient as possible.
“We’re playing against the best team in the world, and we just want to grind and fight and stay in the fight for as long as possible. We did [in Perth] – we want to go one step further. It’s about improving, learning and getting better. You just have to keep fighting and fighting with the Australians.”
Australia move to Adelaide to complete a streak ahead of South Africa and an Ashes streak in England that is looking increasingly tempting.
Watch the second test between Australia and the West Indies on Thursday 8 December from 4am on BT Sport 1.
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