Drama at Bourda - WI v AUS

An intriguing day at Bourda, Guyana, ended today with Australia in firm control after bowling out their hosts, the West Indies for 237 just after tea. This, the first of four Test matches lacked the sort of initial anticipation, but certainly did not disappoint. Indeed, there was no shortage of drama.

Young talent, Devon Smith received his first Test cap and was tossed into the fire immediately. He and Hinds were set to open the innings. The Windies supporters were high in hope as the left-handed pair took the field, after Lara won the toss.

Lara, reinstated as captain again after a two-year layoff, must have had hopes of a total of over 400. But alas, when he was forced to stride to the crease in just the 6th over, things looked very bleak- just 10 runs on the board. Smith was out to the first of a series of shocking decisions when he faced the dreaded finger, LBW for 3. Gillespie then bowled Ganga without scoring, West Indies wrong-footed.

After a promising partnership, Hinds' (10) and Samuels' (0) departure off successive deliveries quickly slowed the revival. For Lara the plan was clear. The ball seemed to hit the middle of his bat immediately upon his arrival at the crease, and he seemed well on his way when he stroked six boundaries in his 26. He however, would be the second victim to a poor decision, once more leg-before-wicket. The score looked all too familiar, at 53/5 and left local boy, Chanderpaul, under pressure to repair. His partner in his plight was Ridley Jacobs.

It would be 131 runs and 141 balls before the Aussies tasted their next success, with the umpire getting into the act again- Chanderpaul dismissed for an even century off just 72 balls. His innings was pure entertainment, with 15 fours and 2 sixes, it was certainly not a typical Chanderpaul effort. Just an hour later (broken by tea) Lawson was bowled without scoring and the home team dismissed for 237 runs in just 50.3 overs. Veteran wicketkeeper, Jacobs ended another gutsy effort unbeaten on 53.

Bichel (3/55), Hogg (2/40), Lee (2/41), MacGill (2/49) and Gillespie (1/40) accounted for the West Indian wickets. Only five bowlers were used.

The Australians would bat for just under two and a half hours, to end at 120/1 - a typically professional effort. Hayden (10) was the only casualty, run out by the experienced Drakes. The World Cup Champions resisted a fiery spell of quick bowling from Lawson and the accuracy of Collins and Drakes to end the opening day on top of proceedings. Langer (55) and Ponting (46) are the not out batsmen.

West Indies 1st Innings (50.3 Overs) 237 all out (S.Chanderpaul 100, R.Jacobs 54*, B.Lara 26; A.Bichel 3/55, B.Hogg 2/40, B.Lee 2/41)
Australia 1st Innings (28 Overs) 120/1 (J.Langer 55*, Ponting 46*)


Posted by Liam