Starc sizzles as Windies wrestle momentum
MITCHELL Starc‘s day-night Test dominance continued in Brisbane yesterday, but even he couldn’t prevent the West Indies from forming a momentum arresting sixth-wicket partnership. After falling to 5-64 at the Gabba, the tourists recovered to post 8-266 come stumps on day one.
Starc (4-68) produced a triple breakthrough in the first session to pass 350 Test wickets, capping off a patient and polished start to Australia’s bowling innings. Fellow quicks Josh Hazlewood (2-32) and Pat Cummins (1-70) also got on the board early to put the Windies in deep trouble at tea.
Hazlewood was the winner of an enthralling battle with visiting captain Kraigg Brathwaite, removing the opener for just four shortly after a successful review brought him back in the day’s second over. Many of the Windies batters were dismissed simply hanging their bats outside the off stump.
The likes of Kirk McKenzie and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (both 21) had their moments but were ultimately undone by Australia’s persistent lines and lengths, and sharp cordon catching. Though after Starc removed Justin Greaves to signal tea, things began to turn for the West Indies.
The fifth wicket brought set batter Kaven Hodge (71) and gloveman Joshua Da Silva (79) together, with the pair putting on 149 runs including a chanceless middle session. The counter-attacking stand was much more indicative of the ideal batting conditions on a dry pitch and hot day in Brisbane.
Nathan Lyon broke the partnership in a massive bonus just three overs until the second new ball was due, leaving Starc and Hazlewood to add to their tallies in the final half-hour. That wasn’t before a quickfire cameo from Alzarri Joseph (32 off 22), who was removed in the day’s final over.
Debutant Kevin Sinclair remained unbeaten on 16 and will resume play alongside a new partner on day two. Pacemen Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach are the two West Indian batters left in the sheds with some handy late-innings runs there to be had before Australia gets a go on the Gabba pitch.
SCORECARD
STUMPS, DAY ONE
TOSS: West Indies won & elected to bat.
1ST INNINGS: West Indies 8-266 (89.4)
Joshua Da Silva 79 (157), Kavem Hodge 71 (194), Alzarri Joseph 32 (22)
Mitchell Starc 4-68 (20), Josh Hazlewood 2-32 (16.4), Nathan Lyon 1-62 (22)
SESSION BREAKDOWN
1st Session: West Indies 5-64 (25.2)
2nd Session: West Indies 0-81 (27.4) | 5-145 (53)
3rd Session: West Indies 3-121 (36.4) | 8-266 (89.4)
WA secures third-straight home Shield final
WESTERN Australia has locked in top spot on the Sheffield Shield ladder for a third season running, after roaring to a 138-run win over Victoria yesterday. Meanwhile, Tasmania spurned its chance to host the final in a 134-run loss to South Australia, but will face WA in the decider nonetheless. >> SCROLL for full scorecards […]
Tassie in trouble with home final on the line
TASMANIA is at risk of missing out on a home Sheffield Shield final, with South Australia doing a fine job of playing spoiler in their clash at Blundstone Arena. The Tigers were set 324 for victory on day two and went into stumps at 1-8, still requiring 316 runs to lock in top spot. >> […]
Boland back with a bang in must-win Shield clash
SCOTT Boland has made a timely Sheffield Shield return for Victoria, claiming 4-41 on day one against Western Australia as his side chases a spot in this season’s final. The seamer was released from Australia’s Test squad in New Zealand, where the tourists secured a 2-0 series sweep. >> SCROLL for full scorecards The Warriors, […]
Seamers sizzle as 14 wickets fall on day one
SEAMERS dominated on day one of the Trans-Tasman Test in Christchurch today, with Josh Hazlewood spearheading Australia into a strong position at stumps. The opening quick took 5-31 as New Zealand was sent in to bat and bowled out for 162 heading into tea. Australia did much of the damage after lunch, ripping through the […]
Big scores don’t get big result in Adelaide
THE big scores continued on the final day of the inaugural CA Gold vs CA Green match, but ultimately that led to the match being called a draw. Starting the day needing to set up proceedings for the hope of a result, CA Green took a slow and steady approach to start the day. Georgia […]
Proceedings even as match heads into final chapter
THINGS are evenly poised heading into the final day of the inaugural CA Green vs CA Gold match, but time may not be on their side to get a result. Starting day two at 0/64, the run fest for CA Gold continued between openers Nicole Faltum and Emma De Broughe. Although neither of them were […]
Georgia’s giant innings helps CA Green see Gold
YOUNG Queensland star Georgia Voll was the talk of the town in Adelaide yesterday as CA Green took a commanding position after day one of the inaugural women’s multi day domestic match against CA Gold. Voll struck a monstrous double-ton to see team green declare on 3-355, leaving CA Gold to bat out 18 overs […]
Kiwis fight back as day four task set
AUSTRALIA will be searching for seven wickets on day four of its Trans-Tasman Test against New Zealand, while the hosts require 258 more runs for victory after another enthralling day of action at Basin Reserve. Having been cruising at 4-113 at lunch on day three with a lead in excess of 300 runs, the tourists […]
Aussies on top after dominant day two
AUSTRALIA leads New Zealand by 217 runs after a dominant second day in the ongoing Wellington Test. After resuming play nine wickets down, the tourists added 104 runs in the morning session to post 383 overall, before skittling the Kiwis for just 179 and batting out a further eight overs. Cameron Green, who dramatically brought […]
