Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday, 1 December 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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.
