Captain Kraigg Brathwaite hit a sensational century to lead his side to a comeback win against Australia on the fourth day of the first Test at the Optus Stadium on Saturday.
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West Indies, who were on the backfoot for a large part of this Test match, now need 306 runs to win the match with seven wickets remaining on the final day. With Kraigg Brathwaite (101) and Kyle Mayers (0) not out at the crease, they were 192/3 in 62 overs at stumps on the fourth day.
Marnus Labushane continued to start the day injured for the West Indies. While David Warner (48) failed to score big, Labuschagne took over the West Indies attack and hit a flurry of fours to bring up his hundred in quick time just before the lunch break.
Australia declared their second innings at 182/2 in 37 overs at lunch with Labuschagne (104 not out) and Steven Smith (20) at the crease. With his ton, Labuschagne became the third Australian batsman after Greg Chappell and Doug Walters to score a double century and a century in the same Test.
Chasing a mammoth target of 498 for victory, West Indies got off to a great start with the bat. Taginereen Chanderpaul showed a lot of composure and Brathwaite was at his best at the other end as they together rattled the Australian attack.
Australia introduced Nathan Lyon early enough to find the breakthrough but it was not their day either. Both the Windies batsmen were in good control but the run rate was hovering just around 2.
However, things gradually changed after tea. Mitchell Starc finally clean bowled Chanderpaul for 45 and Lyon dismissed Shamarh Brooks (11). At the other end, Brathwaite, however, looked undeterred and at one point went on a boundary spree which increased his strike rate.
Eventually, he reached his top-class century, but the visitors were dealt an instant blow in the same over when Jermaine Blackwood (24) was dismissed by Lyon.
Usually a score of 497 is defended most of the time in Test cricket, but with Brathwaite taking the equation to 306, a wicketless session could turn the tide of the contest on the fifth day.
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