Warner hits quickfire ton, rain-hit test drawn

Australian batsman David Warner celebrates scoring a century against the West Indies on the final day of their third cricket test in Sydney - Reuters

Reuters: Australia’s David Warner lit up the fifth day of the weather-ravaged third test against West Indies with an 82-ball century before the dead rubber contest petered out in a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday.

A draw and a 2-0 series victory for the hosts was always the most likely result after all but 11 overs of day two and the entirety of days three and four were washed out.

Australia dismissed West Indies for 330 to bring up lunch before Man of the Match Warner launched his assault on the visiting bowlers.

A few thousand fans attracted by free entry were treated to a typically aggressive display of batting from the lefthander, who had notched up 122 not out to help Australia to 176 for two when the players shook hands on the draw.

The 29-year-old hit two sixes, including one over cow corner to bring up his half century, and 14 fours in his 103-ball knock, heaping more indignity onto a West Indies bowling attack which took just 12 wickets over the series.

He reached his 16th test century when he swept the ball down leg side for three runs before leaping into the air in his now traditional celebration of the milestone.

Joe Burns was the tourists’ 11th victim, departing for 26 when he slapped a Jomel Warrican delivery to Kemar Roach at mid-on having supported Warner in an opening partnership of 100.

All-rounder Mitch Marsh was promoted up the batting order and made 21 before becoming spinner Warrican’s fifth victim of the series.

Peter Nevill scored seven not out in his only batting opportunity of the series, another illustration of Australia’s dominance.

Australia won the first test in Hobart by an innings and 212 runs before an equally dominant 177-run victory in the second test in Melbourne. Adam Voges was named Man of the Series after hitting 269 and 106 in his two innings, both unbeaten.

Australia required a 3-0 sweep of the series to move back above India into second place in the ICC test rankings, however.

Local hopes that West Indies might declare to try to allow some sort of contest were dashed when the tourists resumed their first innings on 248 for seven on Thursday morning.

Denesh Ramdin secured a half century for a second successive test before falling for 62 to a sharp catch from Australia skipper Steve Smith off the bowling of spinner Steve O’Keefe.

Australia’s other spinner Nathan Lyon (3-120) dismissed Kemar Roach (15) and O’Keefe (3-63), playing his maiden test on home soil, brought an end to the innings with the wicket of Jerome Taylor (13).

Tailender Warrican was left on 21 not out, the fifth time in five innings in the series he had kept his wicket intact.