Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne hit impressive double hundreds on Thursday to put Australia firmly in control against the West Indies who face an uphill task to save the first Test at the Perth Stadium.
The hosts declared an ominous score of 598–4 shortly after tea on the second day, allowing Smith to complete the 200-run milestone for the fourth time, surpassing fellow countryman Donald Bradman with his 29th Test ton. Equalized.
Labuschagne scored 204 with Smith’s 200 not out. Travis Head top-scored with an innings of 99, which dealt a huge dent in West Indies’ hopes of winning their first Test in Australia in 25 years.
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The visitors needed to negotiate 25 overs before stumps and it was a fiery affair, with opener Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarayan Chanderpaul, son of West Indian great Shivnarine, taking nasty blows to the groin and body.
But they held on defensively to close at 74-0, 524 runs. The impressive Chanderpaul was on 47 and Brathwaite on 18.
On matching Bradman’s feat, Smith said, “Any time your name is mentioned alongside The Don, it’s very special and flattering.”
Pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood said it was “just another day at the office” for Labuschagne and Smith.
“They love to bat and they love to bat together. Whenever he walks out on the middle and scores some runs… his hunger is second to none.”
– Australia dominate –
Labuschagne and Head were the only wickets to fall on a disappointing day for the West Indies bowlers, who were weak and created few clear chances.
Captain Brathwaite said, “It was tough, I thought Australia batted really well.”
“The work is not over yet… It was good to see the fight and we need to continue tomorrow.”
After starting the day on 154, Labuschagne was dismissed just before lunch to end a mammoth 350-ball innings, caught by wicket-keeper Joshua da Silva after taking an edge off Brathwaite’s bowling.
It was his second-highest score after 215 against New Zealand in Sydney in 2020, ending a marathon 251-run partnership with Smith.
An undefeated Smith has reverted to a more conservative batting style that saw him score 94 and 80 not out in Australia’s recent one-day series against England, and he has never looked troubled.
He brought up his 29th century off 194 balls to match the feat of Bradman, who played only 52 Tests as against Smith’s 88.
Smith is now joint 14th on the all-time list, with Indian great Sachin Tendulkar’s 51 centuries as the benchmark.
He brought up his second century in only 117 balls as he and Head upped the ante, with a declaration on their mind.
Head had an impressive one-day series against England and he brought that form to Perth, falling one run short of a century and ending a quick 196-run partnership with the declaration.
With David Warner (5) and Usman Khawaja (65) the only wickets to fall, Australia started on 293-2 after dominating the opening day of the first Test between the sides in nearly seven years.
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West Indies were desperate for an early breakthrough, but on a cloudy day, Smith hit a four in the opening over off Kemar Roach to signal his intent.
Labuschagne was lucky to escape after getting on top of a Jason Holder pull shot on 175, and had a huge let-off on 196 when da Silva took a chance off the spin of Roston Chase.
He was otherwise in charge and reached 200 with a four off Jaden Seales before a lapse in concentration cost him his wicket.
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