Ryan Harris’ maiden Test half-century and a spirited new-ball burst from Ben Hilfenhaus have combined to give Australia an unlikely sniff of victory in the first Test against the West Indies at Bridgetown
Chasing the Windies 9 (dec) for 449, Australia was 7-250 when Harris came to the crease, with the new ball due.
A determined Harris had a 35-run eighth wicket stand with keeper Matt Wade (28), a 44-run ninth wicket partnership with Ben Hilfenhaus (24), and added the icing to the cake with an undefeated 77-run last wicket stand with offie Nathan Lyon on 40 not out.
Harris finished on a career-high 68 not out, and had been involved with adding 156 precious runs for Australia to declare at 9-406, just 43 in arrears.
A major bonus for a tail-ender whose previous highest scores in 14 digs were 35 not out against India in January, and 23 against Sri Lanka at Galle last August.
In his other 12 visits to the crease, nine were in single figures, including two ducks, two singles, and two threes.
Harris led the major fightback where at one stage Australia was facing the possibility of following-on, and now have that sniff thanks to Hilfenhaus who surpassed his batting heroics with the ball capturing 3-2 off just 11 deliveries, before finishing the day with 3-17 off 10.
At stumps on day four, the Windies had rallied somewhat to be 5-71, a lead of 114. But they’re still under the pump.
This has been an extraordinary Test from the outset.
The Windies started with all 11 batsmen reaching double figures for the first time in 479 Tests in the famous maroon cap, dating back to 1928. When you think of the many great West Indian sides there’s been over 84 years, that’s a staggering first-time achievement from an ordinary side by comparison.
What is even more staggering only 11 times in 2,040 Tests have teams posted 11 double figure scores in the same dig.
India has achieved the feat four times – 1952 v Pakistan, 1968 and 1976 against New Zealand, and 2007 against England.
England three times – 1894 and 1928 v Australia, and 2004 v the West Indies.
Australia twice – 1948 v India, and 1992 v Sri Lanka.
And South Africa twice – 1906 v England, and 1931 v Australia.
It doesn’t matter how closely you follow Test cricket, there are some stats that continue to amaze.
Will the Bridgetown Test be among them, if Australia get up?
Lolly
Guest
Well he has done that before. Third test against SA in Aus 2008/9, he and Marcus North saved a test match in the Ashes 2009. He scored a ton at Lord's coming in at 5 for stuff all, again in 2009. His first ever test match he got a great ton. He was coming in all summer at 3 down for under 50 and scoring runs. People have to ease up on the bloke. He's doing the best he can and his best is turning out to be a lot better than I expected.
Lolly
Guest
Blimey. You can't really believe that Clarke was motivated by Harris getting a higher score than him? Now I've heard it all. Clarke once took himself out of the line-up in a T20 match in the World Championship as he thought it would be better for the team. Give the guy a break.
Oo-er
Guest
I think a bloke scoring 300+ is generally going to be a match winning knock,
Todd Slater
Guest
I would love to see the West Indies regain the Sir Frank Worrell trophy. I grew up watching this team at their peak in the 70's & 80's. Mesmerising & thrilling are just two adjectives that spring to mind. By winning a home series against Australia it might go some way to returning this series to its rightful place as a five test contest. Richie Richardson as their coach is a good start. It would be a great shot in the arm for world test cricket as well if the West Indies could win as well.
jamesb
Guest
"You can get 19s on the West Indies at the moment.'' mmmm........nah I wouldn't bet against my own country, although tempting.
DC of nz
Guest
I am of the view that Clarke has yet to play a true match winning knock for his country ... In tough and dire circumstances ... I try to have no bias and my team is the kiwis ... I think Clarke is coming right ... He held the team together for 73 then tried to force the pace... He is a better captain than punter and likes to play for a result... He has less talent and experience to play with as well... However he needs to make big runs in England ...
Jason
Guest
" I still think the Windies are just in front on the basis that they have the runs on the board. " You can get 19s on the West Indies at the moment.
jamesb
Guest
lets see now, Windies 114 ahead, 5 wickets remaining. Despite what happened on day 4, I still think the Windies are just in front on the basis that they have the runs on the board. If the Windies set a target between 180 to 200, it will be hard a chase in the last 2 sessions for Australia. Bishoo, could become a factor for the windies Than again, the Windies might want to bat out for most of the day and try to eck out a draw, which would be a disspointing result, given they had Australia 7/250, and probably should've bowled out Australia for around 300 and a lead of 150. But will soon find out.
Jason
Guest
"Apart from that century in South Africa he never seems to score runs when we actually need them " Did you see his debut test?
Matt F
Roar Guru
You mean the strike rate (42) that was higher then Cowan, Ponting, Hussey and Wade? And not far behind Watson? It was also higher than four of the WIndies top five in the first innings. If you just don't like the guy then say so (though given you've probably never met the guy I'm not sure how you could form that opinion.) But don't try and make up statistics that don't even make sense in a flimsy attempt to denigrate the guy.
tommy
Guest
His voice irritates me & I thought that whole flying home from a cricket tour to breakup with his fianace & the Kat incident were both cringeworthy but that is not why I don't like him. I'm still skeptical of his batting & I'll never forgive him for going completley missing in the last Ashes when he was supposed to be our form batsman at the peak of his career. He should have been dropped for the 5th test & instead was made captain (I also hate Andrew Hilditch & the Cricket Australia Board). Apart from that century in South Africa he never seems to score runs when we actually need them & my hunch is that he dined out on some very poor Indian bowling last summer. If he scores runs in the next 2 Ashes then I will change my mind but that is how I feel at the moment.
jameswm
Guest
so your dislike of Clarke is personal?
tommy
Guest
"This has been an extraordinary Test from the outset." I would hardly say just because everyone got past 10 that it was extroadinary. In fact compared to the cricket we have seen in the last 12 months I would say it has been pretty dull. It might end in an extroadinary fassion but I wouldn't say days 1-3 were extroadinary. I don't like Clarke but this appears to have been a wonderful declaration. On the evidence of the last 12 months, it would appear that he has that "6th sense" to be able to make the right decions at the right time.
mushi
Roar Guru
Yep I don't think anyone can question where Clarke's motives lie after that test.
tommy
Guest
Yeah, he has been involved in some stinking run outs. Just off the top of my head. 1. Katich & Watto ending up at the same end against the Pakis in 2009/10. 2. Watto leaving Katich for dead at the Adelaide Oval aginst the Poms, 2nd ball of the match. 3. This run out of Ponting. You would expect to see this type of running in pub cricket..
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
They batted at totally different times in the game. Clarke was batting when Australia needed him to occupy the crease, or we would have been rolled for under 200. Harris was batting at a time when we were surprisingly close to making a game of it. By all means, hate Clarke because you just don't like him. But don't hate him when he makes decisions in the best interest of the team.
Brett McKay
Expert
Chris, if you seriously believe what you're writing, then Clarke would've batted for 500 v India in Sydney. But he didn't, did he...
Brendon
Guest
Two scores of 400+ in the 1st innings makes me doubt the pitch is that bad. I think its more a case the West Indies failing. All the whingers here are quick to point Australia's failures over the last few years but forgot the West Indies have been doing that, and worse, for the past 10. I think we overestimated the West Indies in tests. 5/71 just after tailenders had made runs doesn't indicate a tough batting pitch.
PLANKO
Guest
Ok but your are on an Australian site walt ?
Chris
Guest
The team comes first when MC and the teams interests align. I didn't see much of the team coming first when Clarke killed off any chance of a result with his Jason Gillespiesque strike rate. Giving Harris another over to bat would have been nothing in time wasting compared to what Clarke did at the crease.