A crucial third day’s play in the Barbados Test match between West Indies and Australia could allow one or the other team to take control of the game and it begins at midnight AEST on Monday.
A 25th Test match century from Shivanrine Chanderpaul and some vital lower-order partnerships with the likes of Darren Sammy and Kemar Roach helped West Indies compile 449 in their first innings. They further threw the challenge by declaring their innings closed, with a wicket standing.
It was another day of grind and Chanderpaul excelled in that situation as he normally does. After having begun positively at the start of the day, he went into his defensive mode but he was allowed to do that as the batsmen around him managed to spank some away.
Narsingh Deonarine scored 21 from 30, Carlton Baugh made 22 off 39 and then Darren Sammy threw caution to the wind with a 36-ball 41 that took the wind off the Australian bowling.
Australia tried eight bowlers, including Dave Warner and Michael Hussey, with the former even getting two wickets with long-hops disguised as leg-spinners.
Ryan Harris got another two while Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle ran up all day with some steam but without too much reward.
Australia did well to manage 44 runs in their near-10 overs without any wickets down, but their captain has already admitted that an hour of bad cricket can put the team behind.
Australia’s ambition will be to get as close to West Indies as possible in the next four sessions, which is possible if the visitors can bat positively the whole of third day on what is arguably a relatively easier pitch to bat on.
And from there on, we could have an exciting finish to the Test match if the rain stays away. Australia have the batting to do that, it will be the matter of concentrating in hot and humid conditions.
We will bring you the coverage throughout this first Test match of the series between West Indies and Australia from Barbados and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds from 12 midnight AEST.
lolly
Guest
Great to see the Windies looking like a team and playing in a disciplined manner.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The new ball holds the key for the West Indians, while how long Hussey stays there in the middle could define where this Test match is headed. The visitors have a stubborn tail too. Early wickets would put the home side firmly in the driver's seat. Just to remind you once again. Australia are 5/248 in reply to West Indies, who scored 9/449 dec. Hussey still there on 47 runs, Matthew Wade giving him company on 19 runs in a 33 run partnership. Join me for the fourth day's play tommorrow.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Australia fought hard through the day. They had to dig in deep after the early fall of the openers. Watson was scrappy throughout, his farcical run out of Ponting obviously not helping matters. Clarke played a captain's innings, but would be disappointed to have not gone further. Hussey alongwith Wade had to grind through the last hour, but credit to them for handling the spinners well and coming out unscathed.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Another attritional day of cricket. The West Indian bowlers gave a very fine account of themselves today. A performance that would have warmed the cockles of many of the Carribean fans. The pitch did not have much assistance for the bowlers, but Sammy lead the team from the front, getting both the openers with disciplined 'in the channel' bowling. Bishoo bowled a top quality spell on either side of the tea break, and his dismissal of Clarke was just reward for the persistence and consistency.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The fourth umpire is on the field. The umpires are having a discussion about the light, and they deem it too dark to continue play. The players walk off. Neither of the two sides would actually mind it. This could very well be the end of day's play.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Fine effort by Fidel Edwards to pull the ball back just short of the boundary line. Keeps the batsmen to three. It was a short ball from Bishoo, Wade went back and cut the ball through the third man region. Australia trail by 201 now. Hussey approaching a well fought half century.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Run Out opportunity. He doesn't gather the ball. Susbtitute Kieran Powell at mid off. Replays suggest Wade would have anyways made it to the crease even if he had picked up the ball and got a direct hit. 5/244. Last half hour of play remains.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Bishoo 'Keeps Working' as the keeper exhorts him to. The two left handers have started getting a lot more comfortable against these two spinners now. Sammy might want to think about the new ball. Though much would depend on the existing light conditions there. Four runs off the over. 5/243. Drinks onto the field.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Deonarine bowls another maiden over. Have I said this before?
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
FOUR! Good use of the crease by Wade. Rocks back to a short ball from Bishoo and pulls to the vacant square boundary. It has been eons since we had a four.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Wade finally leaves the crease to drive Deonarine to mid off. Takes a quick single to get off strike. Two off the over, as the wind picks up and it gets even darker. 5/234.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Turn and lot of bounce for Bish. The three fielders close on the leg side wait like vultures to pounce on a half chance. But Wade shows good technique to keep the last two deliveries down.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Deonarine doing a fine job. One run off the over. The batsmen have shut shop. Just four runs of the last seven overs.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A couple of inside edges off Wade's bat makes Sammy bring in two short legs and a leg slip. This is a test of the batsman's skills and patience. Only a matter of time before he jumps down the track..
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Adrian Barath is off the field with a thigh strain and is receiving some treatment. The talented batsman has had too many issues with fitness. Never playing continuously for any length of time. Deonarine bowls another maiden over to Hussey.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Maiden over by Deonarine. Every now and then he bowls it short and the ball does not bounce. Looks like he is bowling the zooters on purpose-is Bishoo. One run off the over. 5/230.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Bishoo appears to have lost his length after that wicket. Attempts a googly first up to Wade. Drops it too short, Wade pulls him towards the square boundary for a single. Better lengths in the remainder of the over, as Hussey negotiates him confidently. 5/229. Hussey 41 off 131 deliveries.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The new ball is available to the bowling team. Sammy continues with the offspinner however. It has started getting quite dark as well. So the captain might not be able to get the fast bowlers on.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
FOUR! Short ball going down the leg side. Meat and drink for Mr. Cricket. Just swivels and pulls it well for a boundary.Not a good follow up over from Devendra.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Bishoo continues from around the wicket and keeps aiming at the rough outside the offstump. The ball has started staying low quite regularly now.