The first of the two test match series between West Indies and Australia have gotten underway in Perth. The first innings saw the hosts Australia Post a mammoth target of 598-4 courtesy of Marnus Labuschangne and Steve Smith Double centuries.
Steve Smith, who is the team’s captain in the red ball format, was seen leaving the field due to quadricep soreness putting Smith in charge of the captaincy. Cricket Australia confirmed this prior to the fourth day’s play.
“Pat Cummins is experiencing some mild right-sided quadricep soreness,” told Cricket Australia.
There’s no clarity about whether the Speedster will be back to bowling fitness.
This test saw Cummins pick up his 200th test wicket which was the scalp of opposition captain Kraigg Braithwaite in the first innings for 64 runs. He picked up two more scalps apart from Braithwaite that of Alzarri Joseph and Roston Chase.
In reply to Australia’s score, the visitors crumbled for 283 runs. In the second innings, Marnus Labuschangne brought up yet another century to complement his double century in the first innings.
During the initial phases of his innings, he was cautious with his approach in the first innings and picked his gaps as he got into his rhythm. The second innings saw a different batter as he played more freely and fluently looking unstoppable. He was batting according to what the situation required.
The Aussies declared at 182-2 yesterday. While pursuing the score of 498 the West Indies have already lost three wickets and their captain Kraigg Braithwaite has brought up another test match century for himself.
At the end of the day’s play West Indies have scored 192-3 and require another 308 runs to chase down the target. Tomorrow the team will see Captain Braithwaite who remained not out at 101 and Kyle Mayers come on to the crease.
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