Australia celebrate after taking a 2-0 lead in the series
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia completed a convincing 177-run thrashing of the West Indies on the fourth day of the second Test in Melbourne to go 2-0 up in the three-Test series.
Starting out the day on 179/3, Australia declared on their overnight score, which set the West Indies a target of 460 runs.
Chasing 460 to win, the West Indies were reduced to 150/5 in the 58th over before wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and captain Jason Holder kept Australia at bay with a 100-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Ramdin was caught behind off the bowling of Mitchell Marsh.
Ramdin’s excellent innings of 59 off 90 deliveries, which included eight boundaries.
Ramdin scored his 14th Test fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Debutant Carlos Brathwaite fell shortly after before Holder was on his way back to the pavilion after having made 68 off 86 balls, which included seven boundaries and two sixes.
Holder struck seven boundaries and two sixes during his knock of 68
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Once Holder was removed, the West Indies’ resistance crumbled and the tourists were eventually bowled out for 282.
Marsh was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Nathan Lyon snapped up three, James Pattinson took two and Peter Siddle claimed one.
Holder was disappointed to be on the losing side again, and said: “I thought most of the guys applied themselves, which was really commendable. Credit to the way Australia played, they outplayed us. We had to keep wickets in hand, occupy the crease. Our plan was for me and Ramdin to stick on till the end of the day. Carlos came in and showed spirit [in the first innings], and bowled well. We have been criticised from all different angles, but I’ve just stressed to the team to keep faith. This shows what we can do if we apply ourselves. We just need to keep that belief and keep pushing Australia.”
Australia skipper Steven Smith was thrilled to have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead, and said: “We made it difficult for ourselves, overstepping, we had to take 23 wickets, not 20. I thought Mitchell Marsh was impressive today, he really charged in, hit the pitch hard, got it reversing. Usman is playing beautifully. I’ve put myself down at No. 4 and I think it’s a good decision. He’s made three hundreds in a row, and another in the Big Bash as well. Lyon is bowling extremely well at the moment and is taking crucial wickets. Hopefully he can continue doing that for a long time. You want to try and wrap up the series 3-0. The West Indies fought really well and I’m sure they’ll come back hard at Sydney as well.”
Lyon was named Man of the Match, and said: “I’m trying to improve each day. That was a great Test match, credit to our bowlers. We stuck in there and got the late reward. Definitely [work at catching off my own bowling]. Obviously helps if you can hold on to your catches. Can’t wait to get down to the dressing room and celebrate with the boys. Credit to the West Indies to push us all the way to the end of day four, [they] made us work really hard.”