Labuschagne hits 154 as Australia take control against West Indies

Marnus Labuschagne 

PERTH, AFP: Marnus Labuschagne cracked a masterful unbeaten 154 while Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith hit 50s as a dominant Australia took control of the opening Test against the West Indies at Perth Stadium yesterday.

The hosts reached an ominous 293-2 at stumps on day one following captain Pat Cummins’ decision to bat in hot and dry conditions.

The total was built off the back of a 142-run stand between Labuschagne and Khawaja, who came together after David Warner was out for five, then an unbeaten 142 with Smith.

A focused Labuschagne, who survived chances on 75 and 137, brought up his eighth century in his 29th Test and with the in-form Smith unbeaten on 59 the omens are not good for the visitors, who have failed to win a Test in Australia for 25 years.

The West Indies suffered a blow before the match with allrounder Raymon Reifer ruled out after picking up a groin injury.

They handed a debut to batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of retired great Shivnarine.

Top-ranked Australia made just one change from their last Test against Sri Lanka in July, with speedster Josh Hazlewood in for spinner Mitchell Swepson.