Australia’s batsman Marnus Labuschagne‘s third hundred and local boy in a row Travis Head‘s fast century propelled the hosts to a commanding 330-3 on the opening day of the day-night second Test in Adelaide on Thursday.
Their 199-run collaboration for the uninterrupted fourth wicket helped Australia overcome a wobble in the second session as they lost two quick wickets and stay on course for a 2-0 series win.
Labuschagne, who scored 204 and 104 points in the opening Test in Perth, hit 11 limits in his unbeaten 120.
Head’s airy 114 was his first hundred on his home court and included 12 fours.
Australia rested regular skipper Pat Cummins with a quadriceps strain. Fast colleague Josh Hazlewood was eliminated with a side strain, making him doubtful to start the series against South Africa that followed.
replacement skipper SteveSmith opted to play against an injury-plagued West Indies side who had to make four squad changes who suffered a comprehensive defeat in Perth.
David Warner (21) smashed Alzarri Joseph for three fours in an over, but squandered a good start chasing a wild delivery from the bowlers only to be caught up afterwards.
opening partner Usman Khawaja (62) completed 1000 runs for the calendar year and was looking good before West Indies hit back with two quick wickets after the lunch break.
Debutant Devon Thomas dismissed Khawaja lbw with a fishing performance, a decision Khawaja challenged but was unable to reverse.
In the next over, Jason Holder bent over in his follow-through for a back catch from Smith, who fell for an eight-ball duck.
Head joined Labuschagne to punish an exhausted West Indies attack missing the injured trio of Kyle Mayers, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, debutant paceman Marquino Mindley bowled just two overs before leaving the field with a suspected Achilles tendon injury.
Labuschagne, currently the top-ranked Test batsman, shrugged and beat Thomas to the point limit for his third straight century in the series.
Head, who fell for 99 in Perth, couldn’t refuse his hundred either and the left-hander reached the mark by a border ahead of Joseph.
“It’s probably one of the better ones, it’s very beautiful,” Head told Cricket Australia, also praising Labuschagne.
“A chanceless hundred from Marnus. He played wonderfully. He came and did it in difficult conditions and with a short turn.”
Their 199-run collaboration for the uninterrupted fourth wicket helped Australia overcome a wobble in the second session as they lost two quick wickets and stay on course for a 2-0 series win.
Labuschagne, who scored 204 and 104 points in the opening Test in Perth, hit 11 limits in his unbeaten 120.
Head’s airy 114 was his first hundred on his home court and included 12 fours.
Australia rested regular skipper Pat Cummins with a quadriceps strain. Fast colleague Josh Hazlewood was eliminated with a side strain, making him doubtful to start the series against South Africa that followed.
replacement skipper SteveSmith opted to play against an injury-plagued West Indies side who had to make four squad changes who suffered a comprehensive defeat in Perth.
David Warner (21) smashed Alzarri Joseph for three fours in an over, but squandered a good start chasing a wild delivery from the bowlers only to be caught up afterwards.
opening partner Usman Khawaja (62) completed 1000 runs for the calendar year and was looking good before West Indies hit back with two quick wickets after the lunch break.
Debutant Devon Thomas dismissed Khawaja lbw with a fishing performance, a decision Khawaja challenged but was unable to reverse.
In the next over, Jason Holder bent over in his follow-through for a back catch from Smith, who fell for an eight-ball duck.
Head joined Labuschagne to punish an exhausted West Indies attack missing the injured trio of Kyle Mayers, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, debutant paceman Marquino Mindley bowled just two overs before leaving the field with a suspected Achilles tendon injury.
Labuschagne, currently the top-ranked Test batsman, shrugged and beat Thomas to the point limit for his third straight century in the series.
Head, who fell for 99 in Perth, couldn’t refuse his hundred either and the left-hander reached the mark by a border ahead of Joseph.
“It’s probably one of the better ones, it’s very beautiful,” Head told Cricket Australia, also praising Labuschagne.
“A chanceless hundred from Marnus. He played wonderfully. He came and did it in difficult conditions and with a short turn.”
