Day 5: Windies v Australia

Australia dominated the middle session of the final day to complete a 9 wicket rout of the West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados. The victory puts Australia back on top of the controversial ICC Test Championship table, with South Africa now second.


Resuming the final day on 3/187, the West Indies had a horror start, losing Ramnaresh Sarwan first ball to Stuart MacGill, lbw, and the huge scalp of captain Brian Lara 3 overs later, caught plumb in front from Andy Bichel. Lara added only one run to his overnight score, and left his side in the precarious position of 5/195, and in danger of not making the follow-on target.


Up until lunch, the Windies regained their composure, and built a solid partnership around Shiv Chanderpaul, and debutant Omari Banks. The partnership of 61 was broken by MacGill, and from here the Windies didn't stand a chance.


The tail didn't stand a chance, and with a lead of 8 runs, the West Indies were bowled out for 284, with MacGill capturing 5/75. The victory target was achieved with the loss of Justin Langer, lbw to Jermaine Lawson, who completed an astonishing hattrick.


Australia once again proved their world champion status, with a victory that looked as though a draw was on the cards. The selection of 4 fast bowlers seemed to do the trick on a lifeless pitch, but will the selectors resonsider Glenn McGrath's form, who had a wicketless test?


Result: Australia won by 9 wickets


Australia
605 (S. Waugh 115, R. Ponting 113)


West Indies
328 (C. Gayle 71, D. Smith 59; J. Gillespie 3/31)


West Indies (following on)
284 (R. Sarwan 58, C. Gayle 56; S. MacGill 5/75)


Man of the Match: Stuart MacGill

Posted by Dominic