Day 3 : WI v Australia

Sunday, May 4 2003

A slow day at the Kensington Oval came to an exciting close today leaving Australia in firm command. For the home team, the day began with the unfortunate news of Lara suffering from what is suspected to be chicken pox. As such, Lara would not bat at his accustomed position.

Smith and Gayle opened up at 89/0 and proceeded without any real incident to 139 before Gayle (71) played around a beautiful delivery from Gillespie. Three (3) runs later, the same bowler accounted for Smith (59) as well to make way for Sarwan, joining Ganga at the crease, 142/2.

After a long partnership between the two young right-handers, they were abruptly separated when Ganga (26) lobbed a waist high full toss straight to Andy Bichel at midon, off part-timer Lehmann. The shock felt by the Aussies was only matched by the pure elation when Chanderpaul (0) top-edged his first ball- a short long hop. No sign of Lara.

Sarwan (40) continued with solid support from debutant Banks (24) to take the score to 245 and the new ball. It would then take just three balls between Lee and Gillespie to have the West Indies struggling once again at six (6) wickets down.

Finally, to a rousing ovation, undoubtedly the greatest lower-order batsman ever came to the crease, even in his ailing condition. Brian Charles Lara took his guard to join young Carlton Baugh Jr. in a brave attempt to defy the rampant Aussies.

The two fought on bravely, but neither would see the close of play. Lara fell to a very poor leg-before decision for 14, after he attained a huge inside edge onto his pad. Baugh made a promising 23 but MacGill accounted for him with what proved to be the final ball of the day- 291/8. Australia lead by 314 runs and play resumes at 10:05 a.m. tomorrow.

Australia 1st innings (154.3 Overs) - 605/9 dec.
(S.Waugh 115, R.Ponting 113, D.Lehmann 96 ; J.Lawson 3/131, O.Banks 3/204)

West Indies 1st innings (112.2 Overs) - 291/8
(C.Gayle 71, D.Smith 59, R.Sarwan 40 ; J.Gillespie 3/31, S.MacGill 2/95)

Posted by Liam