Michael Clarke delivered something similar to his 6 wicket haul in his debut Test series in India. Using the bounce and ideal conditions for good spin off the track, Clarkey took 3 wickets and with the huge wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul before stumps were called was massive!
Clarkey has come out as the unlikely bowler of choice for the innings but it was always going to be viewed as a job up to spinner. Well done Clarkey! Let's get the job done now.
Congratulations though to Shiv Chanderpaul upon reaching 10,000 Test runs. It's fitting that he did it against Australia. From 20 matches and 38 innings against us he's averaged 49.96 with 5 centuries and 11 half-centuries. Even this series he's made our bowlers work mighty hard on a track that has had a lot on offer for most of the bowlers.
Full scorecard via ESPN Cricinfo.com
Australian 1st innings: 328 all out. Matthew Wade 106, David Warner 50, Shane Watson 41.
West Indies 1st innings: 218 all out. Nathan Lyon 4-69, Mitchell Starc 2-29, Ben Hilfenhaus 1-30.
Australian 2nd innings: 259 all out. Ricky Ponting 57, Ed Cowan 55, Michael Hussey 32.
West Indies 2nd innings: 5-173. Michael Clarke 3-34, Ben Hilfenhaus 1-15
We already had a good lead in place heading into day 4 and although the batting wasn't anything extraordinary, the lower order were once again able to cash in on some valuable runs to give the Windies a target of 370 to win this Test and avoid losing the series, although we'll still retain the Frank Worrell Trophy.
Ben Hilfenhaus picked up another top order wicket - 5 times from 6 Windies innings - and got us off to another ideal start. A lot must be owed to Ed Cowan who took a screamer at square leg to give Hilfy the wicket of Adrian Barath.
Ed's had a great time in the field, maybe a bit bruised and battered but he has taken 4 catches this match and a run out. The short leg position has been a busy place to be this series.
Shane Watson was able to break the most threatening partnership by the two best West Indian players. Darren Bravo showed us further evidence of his pure class but when on 45 he tried a back foot drive and the edge flew through to Matt Wade! All that was needed was Chanderpaul's wicket and we were well on our way.
Shiv and Bravo managed to compile a slightly threatening partnership of 110 runs but on this track with the type of target they were required to provide even more for their team having lost 3 of their top order batsmen with just 45 runs on the board.
The best wicket of the day, despite the excitement when Chanderpaul was removed LBW, was Michael Clarke's delivery to remove Kieran Powell. Sure, it was a loose shot from him but the way it looked as the ball turned between bat and pad and crashed into the stumps was a splendid sight and it was great to see the skipper contributing with the ball to try secure his *first Test series victory overseas post the Australian summer.
The Windies may still have some hope with Narsingh Deonarine at the crease with Carlton Baugh and Darren Sammy to follow who can bat a fair bit but I don't know if this team of theirs has the ability or mind set to get over the mental pressure in these situations.
Requiring another 197 runs to win with 5 wickets in hand on this track doesn't look good for them and it's a lovely position for the Baggy Greens to go for the win!
It will be over very quickly on day 5 or the Windies may be able to show some resistance but scoring won't be easy and may just make that obstacle of survival very daunting...it already is.
Yes, it's not over until stumps are called or that last wicket is taken but it's safe to say the Baggy Greens are bang on target to leaving the Caribbean at 2-0.
Who is your Player of the series?
*Correction made: Michael Clarke has already been skipper for an overseas tour (Sri Lanka 2011). Initial statement was meant to reference the first overseas tour after the Australian summer.
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2 comments:
Ian,
Clarke already has won a overseas campagin right? in SL? another wonderful stat on Clarke is, he is yet to lose a series as the regular aussie captain since he took over from punter!
Hi Joshua,
Victory is extremely close now mate!
Thanks for pointing that out. I made the correction to my statement.
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