ADELAIDE, BAHAMAS: Run machine Marnus Labuschagne belted a 3rd successive Check century and Travis Head additionally made a ton on Thursday as Australia seized management on day one of many pink-ball second Check in opposition to the West Indies.
Constant quantity three Labuschagne smacked 204 then 104 not out on the first Check in Perth to overhaul England’s Joe Root this week because the world’s top-ranked Check batsman.
And he carried that kind to Adelaide with a affected person unbeaten 120 to once more torment the injury-hit Caribbean workforce, because the hosts amassed 330-3 by stumps.
Head was not out 114, relieved at changing to 3 figures after he was out for 99 within the first Check.
“It’s good to be in good kind,” mentioned Head. “It’s been an extended week and it’s proper up there as in all probability one of many higher ones (knocks) and feels good.”
“A chanceless hundred from Marnus,” he added. “He performed fantastically and we’ve got obtained to do it once more within the morning.” The guests, who’re lacking three first-choice bowlers, loved some success on a flat observe that provided little for the quick bowlers, eradicating David Warner (21), Usman Khawaja (62), and captain Steve Smith for a duck.
Khawaja surpassed 1,000 Check runs for the yr in his knock, turning into solely the third man in 2022 to hit the landmark after Root and fellow Englishman Jonny Bairstow, who’ve each performed extra matches.
He departed lbw to debutant Devon Thomas, who earned his first Check wicket.
Like Labuschagne, Smith smacked 200 in Perth however he solely lasted eight balls in Adelaide, caught and bowled by Jason Holder, whereas Warner nicked Alzarri Joseph to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva.
Australia have gained each day-night Check they’ve performed, together with six-from-six in Adelaide, and want to wrap up the two-match sequence after successful the opener by 164 runs.
“It’s been a tricky week making an attempt to verify we had a stability with the squad, particularly with the quantity of accidents we’ve got,” mentioned West Indies coach Phil Simmons.
“Just like the final sport, the primary two periods we have been on course however within the final session we let the runs stream, in order that’s disappointing.”
– Depleted by accidents –
Each side have been with out key gamers.
Australian tempo spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been dominated out, with Scott Boland and Michael Neser changing them. Three West Indian mainstays have been additionally out injured, with allrounder Kyle Mayers becoming a member of quick bowlers Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales on the sidelines.
Anderson Phillip, Marquino Mindley and Thomas began as an alternative, with the latter two on debut.
However in one other setback, Mindley, who solely arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday after a splash from Jamaica, lasted simply two overs earlier than limping off with a hamstring downside.
Their state of affairs was so dire that Omar Phillips, who was enjoying membership cricket in Australia, was rushed to Adelaide to function an emergency fielder. On a fantastic however cool day, Smith gained the toss and batted, trying to construct a giant rating.
Warner initially bided his time, however then unleashed within the ninth over with three luxurious fours off Joseph. However the left-hander’s need for fast runs value him. He was caught behind by Da Silva after slashing at one other huge Joseph supply and getting a nick.
Khawaja was simply getting in his stride when Thomas pounced, with the Australian late to react because the ball rocketed into his pads. Smith was undone by good reflexes from the lanky Holder, who obtained down low to gather a catch off his personal bowling.
As they departed, Labuschagne remained defiant to deliver up a tenth Check century, crunching a 4 by way of the covers off Thomas because the bowlers ran out of concepts.
Head, on his residence floor, was equally composed in making a fifth century, additionally changing with a boundary off Joseph.