The West Indies are trailing by 145 runs with 8 wickets in hand heading into day 3 in Dominica. Adam Voges hit his début century to steer the Aussie innings after Windies leg spinner Devendra Bishoo ripped through the middle order.
The stoic 35-year-old Adam Voges became the 20th Australian to hit a century on début after bringing up the milestone from 183 balls in trying conditions. While his team-mates were dropping around him, Voges withstood the bowling assault to put his side into a winning position.
The second highest score in the match was 39 by Josh Hazlewood who was contributing with both bat and ball. Voges’ 130 not out inspired the tail to wag. Three meaningful partnerships added 192 runs including 97 run partnership betw2een Voges and Hazlewood.
While Voges blasted 13 boundaries and 1 six, his compatriots were looking dazed in the face of a Bishoo whirlwind. The leg-spinner copped some treatment but never lost his nerve, tossing the ball up again and again with excellent results. His best ever figures of 6/80 included the scalps of Clarke, Smith, Watson and Haddin.
With a ball that resembled Shane Warne’s ‘Ball of the Century‘, Bishoo glided through the forward defence of Brad Haddin. The West Indian spinner extracted some wicked spin at times which was complemented by some sharp fielding.
After failing against the Australian pace attack on day one, the West Indies needed quick wickets and Bishoo provided. Voges played the spin with good footwork, inspiring the tail into action. Australia finished the day all out for 318 and 170 runs ahead.
The opening quicks struck early in the Windies’ second innings with two wickets from consecutive balls. Mitchell Johnson who is looking fierce on the bouncing wicket had Shai Hope caught in slips by captain Michael Clarke while Mitchell Starc ripped through the defences of Kraigg Brathwaite.
The hosts will resume play today still trailing by 148 runs with 8 wickets remaining and plenty of time to try and withstand the raging Aussie pacemen.
