Simon Katich fashioned his third Test hundred and overshadowed the 10,000-run milestone of captain Ricky Ponting to lead a solid Australia batting performance in the second Test against West Indies on Friday. Katich was undefeated on 113 as Australia, choosing to bat on a hard, docile pitch, reached 259 for three in their first innings when bad light stopped play eight overs early on the opening day of the inaugural Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. The venue has became the 11th ground to host Tests in the Caribbean and the 98th in the world.
Katich reached his landmark when he drove his 197th delivery from Dwayne Bravo languidly through mid-on for his eighth boundary.
But Katich was fortunate that Runako Morton dropped the straightforward chance he offered on 90.
The left-hander, promoted to open the batting in the absence of the injured Matthew Hayden, tried a cut, failed to keep the ball down, and it flew straight into Morton's lap, and the fielder floored it.
Katich, however, had to share centrestage with Ponting. The Australia captain supported with a serene knock of 65 which made him the seventh batsman to pass 10,000 runs in Tests.
Ponting drove a full length delivery outside the off-stump from Ramnaresh Sarwan through extra cover for two to move to 61 and reach the milestone about 15 minutes after the tea break.
West Indies had a scare early in the morning, when Edwards slid on the fresh pitch, as he was about to deliver his first ball of the Test. The fast bowler recovered to continue his opening spell, but he bowled raggedly, and the Aussies were able to get away to a sound start.
After lunch, Katich and Ponting completed contrasting half-centuries to build a solid platform for Australia.
Making full use of the plu-perfect conditions, the pair carried Australia to 151 for one at the tea break.
Katich reached his 50, when he hooked Powell to deep fine leg for his sixth boundary, and Ponting brought up his half-century, when he swung a short ball from the same bowler over mid-wicket for his fifth four.
After tea, Australia endured a shaky first hour, when they lost Ponting and Hussey.
From the first ball to the last, Clarke stroked the ball crisply, and executed some elegant off-drives which brought him most of his five fours.
Clarke had an anxious moment on 21, when he drove through the hands of Powell on his follow-through with the bowler more interested in self-preservation.
Australia lead the three-Test series 1-0, after they completed a 95-run victory in the opening Test last Monday at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
Australia have now won 13 of the last 14 Tests they have contested against West Indies and need only a draw to secure their hold on the Frank Worrell Trophy - symbol of Test supremacy against West Indies. The Aussies have not lost a Test series in the Caribbean since 1991.
The third and final Test between the two sides starts on June 12 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
No comments:
Post a Comment