Australia sliced through the West Indies’ batting line-up
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia found themselves in total control at the end of the first day of the first Test in Dominica as the West Indies were bundled out for a dismal 148.
After West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin opted to bat first, it seemed as if the hosts were unable to get out of the starting blocks.
In fact, 21-year-old Shai Hope was the only batsman who made a decent score. However, just like the rest of the batsmen, he wasn’t able to convert it into a bigger score, which seemed to be the motif throughout the day for the West Indies.
Hope was the West Indies’ top-scorer with 36, which came off 54 balls and included five boundaries. The next highest score after his was Jason Holder’s 21. In fact, Hope and Holder were the only two batsmen to surpass the 20-run mark.
Hope top-scored with 36
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
With the batting line-up having failed miserably on the first day, it seemed to insinuate that dropping veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was not a good idea as he has been the anchor of the West Indian innings on numerous occasions.
Chanderpaul’s specialised skill of keeping an innings intact would have been most welcome on Wednesday as the West Indies would have likely made a higher score.
Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets apiece, while Mitchell Starc snapped up two and Nathan Lyon and Steven Smith chipped in with one wicket each.
Trailing by 148, Australia got off to a poor start as opener David Warner was caught by Jermaine Blackwood at point off the bowling of Jerome Taylor for eight.
Shaun Marsh scored 19 runs before he was caught by Darren Bravo at first slip off the bowling of Holder.
Australia were dealt another major blow when captain Michael Clarke was caught behind off the bowling of Devendra Bishoo for 18.
Debutant Adam Voges and Smith stabilised the innings with an unbeaten 24-run partnership before stumps was called.
Voges finished on 20 off 27 balls, which included four boundaries, while Smith remained undefeated on 17.
Taylor, Holder and Bishoo claimed one wicket each.
Australia ended day one on 85/3 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 14:00 GMT.