|
|
|
| April 24, 2003 | Thursday | Safar 21, 1424 |
Australia win second Test despite Lara’s century
PORT-OF-SPAIN, April 23: Australia won the second Test by 118 runs on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in the series despite a brave West Indies fightback led by captain Brian Lara who made his first Test century on his home ground.
Lara, bitterly disappointed at missing out on the first innings when he scored 91, made 122 to give West Indies an outside chance as they chased a target of 407 to win on the final day.
West Indies reached 210-3 at lunch but they lost their last seven wickets for 75 runs with fast bowler Andy Bichel ending the fightback by snaring three quick wickets after the interval.
By the time Lara was out, caught by Matthew Hayden off leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, West Indies were already in disarray and they collapsed to 288 all out.
The 33-year-old left-hander, who survived early lbw appeals from Jason Gillespie and Brad Hogg, avoided the temptation to play his favourite hook and sweep shots in a fascinating duel with the Australian attack.
But he still produced some outstanding strokes including a magnificent six over the long-on fence off Hogg, a drive through the covers off Gillespie for four and another boundary off the same bowler in which he found the gap between mid-off and extra cover.
After surviving an especially fierce spell from Lee, in which he was twice struck on the arm by bouncers, Lara completed his 20th test century by striking leg-spinner Stuart MacGill through the onside for four.
Lara was at the crease for 224 minutes, received 164 balls and hit 12 fours and one six before completing his century.
At the other end, vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan survived an attempted run-out in the third over of the day as he helped West Indies get through the morning without losing a wicket.
Bichel began the carnage in the second over after lunch when he had Sarwan caught at mid-on by Darren Lehmann for 34, ending the partnership which added 106 for the fourth wicket.
Marlon Samuels followed for one when he was lbw to Bichel four overs later and Dave Bernard was next to go after edging another Bichel delivery to Hayden for four.
The biggest blow came when Lara edged MacGill to Hayden, who took a sharp catch to his left.
Debutant Carlton Baugh followed for one when he was caught by Justin Langer off Hogg and Mervyn Dillon was caught by Bichel at gully off Lee for 13.
Australia finished the job when Gillespie had number eleven Pedro Collins lbw for five.
On Tuesday, Gillespie rocked the home team two quick wickets. He removed Devon Smith and Ganga in quick succession.
Australia declared at 238-3 just before tea after Hayden reached his century, while Darren Lehman followed up his first innings 160 with a quick, powerful 66.
Scoreboard
AUSTRALIA (1st Innings 576-4 declared (R.T. Ponting 206, D.S. Lehmann 160, A.C. Gilchrist 101 not out).
WEST INDIES (1st Innings 408 (D. Ganga 117, B.C. Lara 91, M.N. Samuels 68; B. Lee
4-69).
AUSTRALIA (2nd Innings):
J.L. Langer lbw b Drakes 3
M.L. Hayden not out 100
R.T. Ponting c Baugh b Dillon 45
D.S. Lehmann b Dillon 66
EXTRAS (B-12, LB-6, W-1, NB-5) 24
TOTAL (for three decl, 66.2 overs) 238
FALL OF WKTS: 1-12, 2-118, 3-238.
BOWLING: Dillon 18.2-0-64-2 (2nb, 1w); Drakes 20-4-61-1; Samuels 21-1-65-0; Collins 7-1-30-0 (3nb).
WEST INDIES (2nd Innings, overnight 107-3):
W.W. Hinds b MacGill 35
D.S. Smith lbw b Gillespie 0
D. Ganga c Hayden b Gillespie 2
B.C. Lara c Hayden b MacGill 122
R.R. Sarwan c Lehmann b Bichel 34
M.N. Samuels lbw b Bichel 1
D.E. Bernard c Hayden b Bichel 4
C.S. Baugh c Langer b Hogg 1
V.C. Drakes not out 26
M. Dillon c Bichel b Lee 13
P.T. Collins lbw b Gillespie 5
EXTRAS (B-25, LB-7, W-3, NB-10) 45
TOTAL (all out, 89.2 overs) 288
FALL OF WKTS: 1-2, 2-12, 3-107, 4-213, 5-222, 6-228, 7-238, 8-238, 9-270.
BOWLING : Lee 19-4-68-1 (6nb, 1w); Gillespie 17.2-3-36-3; Bichel 13-3-21-3 (2nb); Lehmann 7-0-20-0; MacGill 20-6-53-2 (1nb, 2w); Hogg 13-1-58-1 (1nb).
RESULT: Australia won by 118 runs.
UMPIRES: E.A.R. de Silva (Sri Lanka) and R.E. Koertzen (South Africa).
TV UMPIRE: B. Doctrove (West Indies).
MATCH REFEREE: M.J. Procter (South Africa).
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Ricky Ponting.
FIRST TEST: Australia won by nine wickets.
THIRD TEST: Bridgetown, May 1-5.
FOURTH TEST: St John’s, May 9-13.
—Reuters
|
|
|
|
