Australia were in full command of the final Test against the West Indies despite the unfortunate fates befalling Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and Simon Katich on day one at the WACA ground.

Struck on the elbow second ball by Kemar Roach, Ponting (23) was forced to retire hurt for the first time in his 139 Tests, though he was later cleared of any break.

The wobbly appearance, perhaps indicative of Ponting’s gradual waning as a batsman, was book-ended by the failure of Watson (89) to notch his first Test century and Katich’s rum luck to be out for a second 99 in Tests.

Home-grown No.4 Mike Hussey (81no) was threatening to go further by the close, allowing the Australians to reach the comfort of 3-339.

Roach (1-67) and Gavin Tonge (0-65) were fast but expensive in short spells, while Sulieman Benn (1-61) and Narsingh Deonarine (1-52) offered yeoman service.

Not for the first time, Roach’s duel with Ponting was the most compelling passage of the day, and Watson found significance in the skipper’s fight to stay out there when he might have retired immediately.

“It was very gladiatorial out there the way Kemar Roach was taking on Ricky and of course he’s never going to take a backward step either,” Watson said.

“So for him to be able to bat the way he did, even for that short period of time before he retired hurt, for him to continue taking him on was brilliant to watch.

“You could tell it was hindering the way he was able to pull.

“The extension of his arms when he was pulling and hooking seemed to be giving him a bit of grief.”

Ponting had won a good toss, earning first use of a surface that invited quick scoring if the pace and odd early hint of seam movement could be negotiated.

Roach posed numerous difficulties early on, swinging the ball in to the right-handed Watson, and with a a straight delivery for variation he caught the allrounder’s outside edge.

It flew tantalisingly close to Denesh Ramdin, who chose not to chase it, but captain Chris Gayle was unable to grasp the chance.

Watson’s on-driving was particularly forthright and, as in Adelaide, Katich rode happily in his partner’s slipstream.

Not long after the interval Watson again found himself within reach of a century, but now Roach produced his best spell of the day, finding a hint of seam movement at pace to touch the opener’s outside edge.

Striding to the crease with intent and miming the cover drives he had practised with vigour on match eve, Ponting lost all his swagger second ball when Roach’s skidding bouncer struck the home captain on the elbow.

Trying first to hide his discomfort, Ponting wandered away from the crease as physio Alex Kountouris offered treatment.

He would be back three more times as Ponting staggered to 23, hooking one imperious six but wincing whenever the ball did not strike the meat of his bat.

Eventually Ponting gave up to seek further examination, retiring hurt for the first time in his Test career, and offering Hussey a start.

Katich went to tea on a nondescript 76, but he bloomed after the break, going to 99 with a leg glance then promptly sweeping to backward square leg next ball.

There was dismay everywhere as the former West Australian marched off in angry fashion, the 12th time an Australian had passed 50 this series without reaching 100.

It was Katich’s second 99, making him the ninth batsman and second Australian after Greg Blewett to twice fall one short of a century.

Michael Clarke drove impudently at Narsingh Deonarine’s off break to be held at short mid-on, but Hussey’s innings became increasingly fluent as the shadows lengthened, and he will resume alongside Marcus North (23no).

SCORE – Australia reached 3-339 at stumps.
MAN OF THE MOMENT – Mike Hussey. Under pressure to make runs and silence a growing tide of criticism, West Australian left-hander pushes fluently to an unbeaten 81 at stumps.
KEY MOMENT – Chris Gayle drops Shane Watson on seven inside the first half hour. It was arguably a catch for wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin but Gayle still should have done better having wrapped both hands around the ball. Watson went on to make 89.
STATS OF THE DAY – Simon Katich’s 99 was the 12th time an Australian batsman had passed 50 in this series without going on to three figures.
QUOTE OF THE DAY – “It is a little more comforting that it was a good ball that got me out.” – Watson after falling short of a maiden Test century. Again.
SUMMARY – Australia are in strong shape but not without their concerns, namely the fitness of battered captain Ricky Ponting and the mentality of their batsmen as a hundred becomes ever more elusive.

© AAP 2012

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