AUSTRALIA was emphatic in securing a two-nil series whitewash over the West Indies on Sunday, thumping the touring side by 419 runs in a record-breaking win at Adelaide Oval. After going down by 164 runs in Perth, the Windies’ latest defeat was their heaviest by runs in Tests, and continues their winless streak in Australia which extends back to the late-90s.

Local hero Travis Head was named man of the match after bashing a career-best 175 in the first innings, cut short only by an unceremonious runout. Fellow centurion Marnus Labuschagne also cashed in for 163 across the first two days, and was duly named man of the series. The Queenslander has started his summer in fine fettle, notching a double-ton and two centuries in four digs.

The win was historic for Australia in more than a team sense. Spinner Nathan Lyon became just the third Australian bowler to pass 450 Test wickets after Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, while Alex Carey equalled the Test innings dismissals record for Aussie wicketkeepers with six catches, including two screamers up to the stumps off Michael Neser‘s medium-pacers.

Less than 20 overs were bowled on day four, the final day, as Australia prized the remaining six West Indies dismissals required for victory. It came after Scott Boland produced a magical three-wicket maiden on the previous night, though that didn’t stop his Test bowling average from ‘ballooning’ out to 10.33. He finished with three poles in the fourth innings alongside Neser and Mitchell Starc.

After declaring on an ominous 511 runs having won the toss and batted, the hosts bundled their wilting adversaries for 214 and added 199 in a 31-over dash to set the West Indies 496 runs for victory. Less than half of the Windies’ batting lineup registered double-figures in a feeble chase which yielded just 77 runs, marking a disappointing end to the series.

Warning signs were flashing early when tweaker Roston Chase was brought on to bowl just 10 overs into the opening day, with the visitors’ resolve seemingly worn thin. That was compounded by an injury to fly-in bowler Marquino Mindley two overs into his first and only spell, though the Windies may have inadvertently uncovered a handy part-time seamer in Devon Thomas, who jagged two wickets.

Easily the find of the series was Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of prolific run scorer Shivnarine. Making his debut for the West Indies in game one, the opening batter amassed a team-high 160 runs over four innings, including his maiden Test 50 at Optus Stadium. His opening stands with capatin Kraigg Brathwaite proved one of the few obstacles for Australia’s attack.

The West Indies will again tour down under for a pair of Tests next summer. Meanwhile Australia, who extended their lead atop the ICC Test rankings, prepares for a three-match bilateral series against South Africa. The world number one will hope for more competitive digs against a fearsome bowling unit ahead of the ICC Test Championship final in June 2023.

In team selection news, quick Josh Hazlewood (side strain) has been ruled out of game one against the Proteas in Brisbane, though skipper Pat Cummins looks set to return from a quad injury. It makes for a squeeze amid the Australian fast bowling unit, with Boland and Neser likely to battle it out for a spot alongside Starc. West Australian tearaway Lance Morris is also in the 14-man squad.

SCORECARD

Australia 7d-511 & 6d-199 def. West Indies 214 & 77

1st Innings:
Travis Head 175 (219), Marnus Labuschagne 163 (305), Usman Khawaja 62 (129)
Alzarri Joseph 2-107 (31), Devon Thomas 2-53 (14), Kraigg Brathwaite 1-35 (8)

2nd Innings:

Tagenarine Chanderpaul 47 (102), Anderson Phillip 43 (78), Roston Chase 34 (56)
Nathan Lyon 3-57 (20), Michael Neser 2-34 (12), Mitchell Starc 2-48 (15.3)

3rd Innings:

Usman Khawaja 45 (50), Travis Head 38* (27), Steven Smith 35 (36)
Alzarri Joseph 3-33 (7), Roston Chase 2-25 (4), Anderson Phillip 1-44 (6)

4th Innings:

Tagenarine Chanderpaul 17 (28), Joshua Da Silva 15 (40), Roston Chase 13 (29)
Scott Boland 3-16 (10), Michael Neser 3-22 (10.5), Mitchell Starc 3-29 (10)

MOTM: Travis Head (Australia)
MOTS: Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)

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TEST SERIES VS. SOUTH AFRICA

First Test: Dec 17-21 @ Gabba, 11.20am AEDT
Second Test: Dec 26-30 @ MCG, 10.30am AEDT
Third Test: Jan 4-8 @ SCG, 10.30am AEDT

Australian squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner

South African squad: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Eree, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo