The first Test match of the series between hosts Australia and the West Indies moved towards an intriguing finale after an eventful fourth day in Perth. Marnus Labuschagne followed his double century from the first innings with another glittering century to hand Australia a massive lead before the Caribbean skipper Kraigg Brathwaite replied with a sensational century of his own to keep the visitors in the match.
Australian batting sensation Marnus Labuschagne, along with veteran opening batter David Warner scored briskly to further solidify the hosts' commanding position in the morning session. The southpaw fell just two short of a well-deserved half-century. However, Labuschagne continued his assault on the Windies bowlers after surviving a fierce bowling spell from Alzarri Joseph with a bit of good fortune.
The 28-year-old went on to register his ninth Test ton in the second innings, becoming only the eighth batter to register a double century and a century in the same Test match. His swashbuckling 104* off just 110 deliveries propelled Australia to 182/2, taking their lead to a massive 497 runs.
West Indies kept alive by Kraigg Brathwaite's defiant century
The Windies knew the stern task at hand as they needed to bat for nearly two days in front of a menacing Australian bowling attack to avoid a defeat in the series opener. However, their assignment got a bit easier after Australian skipper Pat Cummins did not walk out to bowl due to a quadriceps injury.
Steve Smith, who stood in for the injured Cummins, was frustrated by the West Indian openers, who notched up a solid 116 runs opening stand. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who batted beautifully in the first innings of his Test debut, fell short of another half-century in the match after playing a lazy shot off Mitchell Starc on 45.
The incoming Shamarh Brooks did not last too long at the crease as Australian bowlers sensed an opening in the fourth innings of the match. However, their plans were thwarted by the Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite who continued his impeccable touch from the first innings. The opening batter showed dogged determination to compile a memorable fourth innings century to keep his team's chances alive in the contest.
The Aussie bowlers toiled hard for another wicket, and their efforts paid dividends as Labuschagne grabbed a one-handed stunner to hand Australia a much-needed breakthrough just before the end of the day's play. West Indies finished the day on 192/3, with a day's play remaining in the first Test match of the series. Australia are slightly ahead at the moment, but with Kraigg Brathwaite holding fort at one end and the injury to Pat Cummins making for an intriguing contest on the final day.
Here is how Twitter reacted to a moving day in the Test series opener between Australia and the West Indies:
Back to Perth brilliant fighting 💯 from Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies showing some real fight. #AUSvWI
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 3, 2022
Last 11 test centuries by a West Indies opening batsman; all to Kraigg Brathwaite. Let’s his bat do the talking always. 👏🏻 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 3, 2022
Oh wow!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 https://t.co/nvIUw3gDLL
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) December 3, 2022
Kraigg Brathwaite has kept West Indies in the hunt 💪
— ICC (@ICC) December 3, 2022
Watch the #AUSvWI series live on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v (in select regions) 📺#WTC23 | Scorecard: https://t.co/YyderopRZu pic.twitter.com/4cR59aax6G
Marnus the modern marvel!
— ICC (@ICC) December 3, 2022
A century to compliment his double hundred in the first innings in Perth.
Watch #AUSvWI in their #WTC23 encounter on https://t.co/CPDKNxpgZ3 (in select regions) 📺
Scorecard: https://t.co/GmPHL3FVwl pic.twitter.com/TDZNhSApcc
Number 11 hits century number 11
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) December 3, 2022
We all live in the world of Mr Kraigg Brathwaite #AUSvWI #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/VGA9xOpoVL
Double Century & Century in the one Test:
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) December 3, 2022
Doug Walters 🇦🇺 v WI 1969
Sunil Gavaskar 🇮🇳 v WI 1971
Lawrence Rowe 🏝️ v NZ 1972
Greg Chappell 🇦🇺 v NZ 1974
Graham Gooch 🏴 v IND 1990
Brian Lara 🏝️ v SL 2001
Kumar Sangakkara 🇱🇰 v BAN 2014
Marnus Labuschagne 🇦🇺 v WI 2022#AUSvWI
Marnus Labuschagne is in the elite company now 👊#AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/iq1psC84hk
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 3, 2022
Best averages against Australia in Australia in Tests since 2012 (min 100 runs):@faf1307 83.16
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) December 3, 2022
Kraigg Brathwaite 65.66@RishabhPant17 62.4@imVkohli 61.88@YounusK75 59.60#AUSvWI
from CricTracker https://ift.tt/IlAckUX
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