West Indies were well placed at the end of a rather eventful second day of the third Test at the WACA in Perth. But there is still plenty to battle about.
Australia’s declaration on 520 for seven left West Indies with a formidable first innings total to follow up. An eighty-two for Michael Hussey was followed by eighty-eight run innings for Brad Haddin with Marcus North lending weight with sixty-eight runs.
But it was the on field skirmish between the West Indies spinner Sulieman Benn, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and wicket keeper Haddin that had tongues wagging.
Irrespective of the row, the West Indies skipper, Chris Gayle, not only got Benn back to his mark but also, once again led West Indies with the bat on this tour.
Gayle’s century dominated the story of the day as it came off just seventy-two balls in a show of authoritative batting that took a bit away from the colossal Australian total. The Australian bowlers failed to get a breakthrough as Travis Dowlin proved a useful opening partner for Gayle with his own fifty-five in an innings of contrast.
Eventually Gayle became the first West Indies batsman felled in this match, the honour going to Doug Bollinger, with the scoreboard on 132. Dowlin departed a little while later but Ramnaresh Sarwan was holding fort as West Indies ended on 212 for 2 at stumps and an intriguing battle awaiting day three, even as the competition has certainly got a little bit hotter than desired.
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