Published: Dec 10, 2015, 12:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 10, 2015, 12:50 PM (IST)
Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh slammed centuries as Australia rammed the West Indies on the first day of the first Test in the Frank Worrell Trophy 2015-16 itself. Australia ended the first day at a dominant position of 438 for three at stumps, with Voges batting on career-best 174 not out and Marsh reaching 139 not out. For the West Indies, it was a dismal day in general despite the Caribbean side showing some spark in the early stages of play on the first day. Marsh and Voges have so far put up 317 runs for the fourth wicket, which is now only 19 runs shy from the best fourth-wicket stand from either of West Indies and Australia. At Sydney in February 1969, Bill Lawry and Doug Walters added 336 runs for the fourth wicket against the West Indies, and now, their record looks under severe threat. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs West Indies 2015-16, 1st Test at Hobart, Day 1
The pitch at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart had a greenish tinge in the morning, and the idea to win the toss and elect to bat first was not necessarily the right one. Still, Steven Smith chose to bat after Australia won the toss, and their openers David Warner and Joe Burns launched their attack on the West Indies bowlers. LIVE CRICKET BLOG & UPDATES: Australia vs West Indies 2015-16, 1st Test at Hobart, Day 1
When the first wicket fell, Australia already had 75 runs on the board from 65 balls. Both Warner and Burns punished the West Indies bowlers, striking boundaries on both sides of the wickets. Burns was the first man to be dismissed, being cleaned up by Shannon Gabriel for 33 off 43 deliveries.
Spinner Jomel Warrican put the West Indies on top when he had both Warner and Smith back in the pavilion in quick succession, but not before the former getting yet another half-century. Warner was caught behind on a delivery off which he was looking to score, as it was drifting down the leg. Warner’s 64 came off only 61 balls, studded with 11 boundaries.
By God… This bowling in Hobart by the Windies.. Would make many old timers in the West Indies cry. Thank god there is rum I hear them say!
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) December 10, 2015
Smith was the only Australian on Thursday who did not score runs against the West Indies. After his dismissal off Warrican, in came Marsh and Voges, who added runs for the fourth wicket to push the West Indies on the backfoot.
Voges’ third century — second versus the West Indies — came off exactly 100 balls and 15 boundaries. He scored runs off almost every ball that he faced, and allowed Marsh to get his eye in. Once settled, Marsh opened up as well and the clueless West Indies’ bowlers were punished by the Australians. At no point did the pair of Voges or Marsh take any unwanted risk, and all scoring strokes were generally on the floor. Australia scored close to five runs an over in all three sessions, which indicates how poor the West Indies were with the ball.
Voges ended the day at 174 not out. He faced 204 balls and struck 19 boundaries to get those many runs. On the other hand, Marsh reached 139 not out facing 205 deliveries, striking 12 boundaries during his innings.
For the West Indies, the two wickets that Jomel Warrican claimed in the first session were the only bright spot. But then, by the time the play ended on the first day, his figures were 22-1-111-2.
Brief scores:
Australia 438 for 3 (Joe Burns 33, David Warner 64, Adam Voges 174*, Shaun Marsh 139*; Jomel Warrican 2 for 111, Shannon Gabriel 1 for 59) vs West Indies.
Full Cricket Scorecard: Australia vs West Indies 1st Test, Day 1 at Hobart
