AUS VS WI, 1st Test: West Indies 74 for 0 (Brathwaite 18*, Chanderpaul 47*) trail Australia 598 for 4 dec (Labuschagne 204, Smith 200*, Head 99) vs West Indies by 524 runs

After double centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith propelled Australia into a commanding position in the first Test, West Indies debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul withstood a short ball assault late on day two on a grassy Optus Stadium pitch. Chanderpaul and captain Kraigg Brathwaite impressively defied Australia’s star-studded attack after spending 152.4 overs on the field, allowing the West Indies to claw back into the match. Chanderpaul, the child of legendary player Shivnarine, copped an inception into Test cricket as he edged a sharp delivery  from fast Mitchell Starc through the slips. 

After that, Starc hit him in the pads, resulting in an umpire ruling that he was not out. Before a swift drive through long on gave Chanderpaul the much-needed boost of confidence, he was completely outmatched by the quickness and accuracy of Josh Hazlewood. However, he returned to the wars after being struck in a vulnerable area that required medical attention and receiving blows to the body from Cummins and Hazlewood’s vicious short balls. Chanderpaul persevered with the same determination and technical skills as his father and began to appear more at ease on a pitch with few tricks. 

He attempted to counter the short ball with several caviar shots, but he passed his first test in this format. After a forgettable performance on the field, West Indies have received a much-needed boost thanks to the grittier opening partnership. When Travis Head was bowled for 99 just one delivery after Smith scored his fourth Test double century, 15 minutes into the final session, Australia declared. 

Australia’s huge first innings ended with Head’s dismissal.

They had three straight partnerships of 100 or more to back up Cummins’ decision to bat first on the green Optus Stadium surface, which hasn’t been very exciting so far. Smith and Labuschagne, who combined for a partnership of 251 runs and batted almost the entire first session, dominated Australia’s massive innings. 

Just before lunch, Labuschagne made it to his second Test double century and celebrated by removing his helmet and enthusiastically waving his bat. He was bowled just short of his highest Test score of 215 when he edged the spin of Brathwaite to wicketkeeper Josh Da Silva out of nowhere two balls later. Labuschagne continued his strong form at Optus Stadium, where he scored 143 and 50 against New Zealand three years ago in the last Test played there. This was due to luck. 

Smith’s 29th Test century matched that of Sir Donald Bradman just before lunch. He arrived at the achievement with a solitary to long on, who oddly did not get to limit the run. Smith also completed 4000 home Test runs successfully. Only Sir Garfield Sobers (66.8) and Bradman (98.22) have higher home averages than Smith’s 64.53. He also continued to dominate West Indies, against whom he has an average of 232.33 from six Tests. Smith maintained his focus throughout the match, despite the presence of a few fans who began to excite themselves by mocking West Indies’ careless fielding. 

Additionally, he reaffirmed his preference for his newly refined method, which has eliminated shuffling across the crease. Head scored more than a run per ball in a 166-run partnership with Smith to destroy a lifeless West Indies attack in the second session, aiming for a declaration. Brathwaite’s 30th birthday was marred by his desire for a defensive approach and the possibility of further criticism for his use of the bowlers after his aggressive captaincy on day one. 

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Despite the fact that West Indies needed to take early wickets to get back into the game, quicks Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales were surprisingly not used in the first hour. In late signs of life from the tourists, Brathwaite and his new opening partner Chanderpaul finally saw some cheer later in the day in a rearguard.