Windies humiliated by 379 runs

The West Indies crumbled to embarrassing defeat in the first Test against Australia, as Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken demolished the tourists’ second innings. Australia declared at their overnight total of 283/2, and knocked over the tourists for 129, as they searched for a mammoth target of 509.

Against a superb exhibition of pace and swing, the West Indies lost their last seven wickets for just 30 runs, and were defeated by 379 runs. Lee’s 5 for 30 was his first five-wicket haul in four years, and Nathan Bracken had his best Test figures of 4 for 48.

The tourists looked like fish out of water, playing with more confusion than the conviction required to save a Test match.

First out was first innings topscorer Devon Smith, edging low to Shane Warne at slip for 3. Chris Gayle batted in aggressive fashion, attempting to steal some initiative, but was well-taken at slip off Watson for 33. He had earlier been dropped by bowler McGrath, and he hit a six on either side of the missed chance.

Lara (14) replaced Gayle at the crease, and was dropped off Bracken on 5. He made little of the opportunity though, adding just 9 runs before he was caught in the gully by Hayden, off the same bowler.

Captain Chanderpaul was next out, albeit in unfortunate fashion. Padding up to a Bracken delivery, Chanderpaul was struck high, yet adjudged LBW for 7 – 99/4.

When Ramnaresh Sarwan (31) got himself tangled up in a botched attempt to negotiate a Lee bouncer, the humiliation of defeat was not far behind. Denesh Ramdin (6) edged to Gilchrist, and the last 3 wickets managed 24 runs to slip the margin of defeat below 400 runs.

Marlon Samuels was left high and dry at the non-strikers end, with two lovely boundaries to his credit amongst an unbeaten 17.

The defeat was described by Chanderpaul as “probably the worst” of his team’s many, and the West Indies now face a difficult task if they are to prevent a resurgent Australian team from a clean sweep, which they effortlessly accomplished the last time the West Indies toured.

Australia 435
Ricky Ponting 149, Shane Warne 47, Brett Lee 47
Corey Collymore 4/72, Daren Powell 3/100

West Indies 210
Devon Smith 88, Dinesh Ramdin 37*
Shane Warne 5/48, Glenn McGrath 4/72

Australia 2/283 dec.
Matthew Hayden 118, Ricky Ponting 104*
Chris Gayle 2/74, Marlon Samuels 0/46

West Indies 129
Chris Gayle 33, Ramnaresh Sarwan 31
Brett Lee 5/30, Nathan Bracken 4/48

Australia won by 379 runs, and lead the series 1-0.