1st Test: West Indies go down in a thriller

Australia snatch 3-wicket win despite late fightback by the hosts.

BRIDGETOWN:

Australia won an exciting first Test against the West Indies by three wickets as Michael Clarke’s team were rewarded for their positive approach.

After West Indies were bowled out for 148 before lunch on the final day, the tourists were set a victory target of 192 in two sessions. Australia were cautious before tea but with the light fading fast, they stepped up the run-rate in the final session despite losing six wickets in the process.

Spinner Narsingh Deonarine took four for 53 as the West Indies exposed the Australia tail but with Mike Hussey (32) taking an aggressive approach, Australia were able to cross the finish line before darkness fell.

The victory completed an outstanding turnaround for the tourists who were 250 for seven before Ryan Harris and the tail produced invaluable resistance.

“It was very hard fought,” said Clarke. “Australian cricket has very fond memories of this ground in Barbados and I think the last five days will be added to those great memories.”

Clarke’s decision to declare the first-innings at 406 for nine, 43 runs behind, proved to be a master-stroke, exposing a seemingly tired unprepared West Indies top order to a tough afternoon session.

“I think you have to give yourself every opportunity to win. I think full credit has to go to our bowlers, not only the way they batted in the first-innings but the way they came out and bowled in the second-innings as well. That went a long way to helping us win the game.”

In the chase, Australia crawled to 61 for one by tea, but the final session became a tense one as the Caribbean attack made inroads and Australia had to keep their eyes on the light.

Deonarine grabbed the wickets of Watson, who made a smart 52 and then opener Ed Cowan, who had made 34 from 164 balls with just one boundary.

There was little doubt that Australia were going to make the total, as long as the light remained acceptable, but when Ricky Ponting was bowled for 14 and then Clarke returned a leading edge, the tension level increased.

But Hussey took on the responsibility, making his 32 from 50 balls, before being bowled by Roach and fittingly Harris and Hilfenhaus, who had done so much to turn the game around in the first-innings, were at the crease at the end to secure the win.

The second Test of the three-match series starts in Port of Spain on Sunday.

Ryan Harris

“I said to Hussey before tea that I’d love to be out there at the end of a Test and hit the winning runs. That was one of the hardest matches I’ve played in my career. To win a game like that,  it’s pretty amazing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2012.