Australia v Windies: Day 2

Australia continued to dominate a helpless and timid West Indies bowling attack on an unhelpful Trinidad pitch with a supremely confident Ricky Ponting bringing up his maiden International Double Century.

Ponting was joined by the aggressive Adam Gilchrist and the two continued off where Darren Lehmann and Ponting left off the night before. The inexperienced and timid West Indies pace attack fell the sheer brute power of the Australian batting blades.

Gilchrist's now typical form of aggressive batting was evident today as well with endless amounts of boundaries on the leg side. While Ponting reached a masterful 150, Gilchrist raced to his 50 off just 60 balls. The two continued to drive the West Indies bowlers into submission as Ricky Ponting bought up his maiden test double century.

After a mammoth 171 partnership in quick time, Ponting was stumped off Marlon Samuels' slow off spinners thanks to Carlton Baugh. Steve Waugh deciding to keep himself back in the pavilion sent out bowling all rounder Brad Hogg. Meanwhile Adam Gilchrist as he so often does, stole the show with another fantastic 100 at almost a run a ball.

Steve Waugh needing not to waste anymore time, declared the innings at a mammoth 576/4. The West Indies already seemed to be in a dire situation when rookie opener Devon Smith edged a Jason Gillespie delivery straight behind to be out for 0.

Wavell Hinds turned his game up a notch, as he dispatched the Australian's for boundaries all around the wicket. His quick fire 20 was a counter attack, but failed to go on with the start, as Brett Lee got Hinds for 20. This bought the twin century makers of Guyana to the crease.

The in form Ganga and Lara continued to put pressure on the Australian's with some magical and aggressive stroke play. The partnership passed 50 as Lara bought up another fine 50 in his career, and another against Australia. As Lara continued to punish all the lose deliveries, Ganga bought up his half century too.

But the Trinidad crowd were shocked as their hero, Brian Lara in his home test was dismissed for a masterful 91, as Brad Hogg cleaned him up. At the close of play, West Indies are currently on 186/3 with Daren Ganga on 69, and Ramnaresh Sarwan on 1.


Brief Score Summary: Close of Day 2

Australia: 4/576 Declared (Ponting 206, Lehmann 160, Gilchrist 101*, Dillon 2/124, Samuels 1/111)

West Indies: 3/186 (Lara 91, Ganga 69*, Gillespie 1/25, Lee 1/33, Hogg 1/33)


Posted by Sangrah