Aussies tear through West Indies on day one
Australia kicked off the Test series in the Caribbean with a bang as their frontline bowlers took just two sessions to dismiss the West Indies for 148.
Denesh Ramdin won the toss and sent his side in to bat, but it didn't take long for the wickets to start tumbling.
Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson each collected three wickets, with Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon combining for three more.
The Windies weren't especially impressive prior to lunch, but with only three down they still stood a chance of posting a decent total. Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope and Darren Bravo all made starts, but weren't able to carry it on.
Things quickly went from bad to worse after the break, however, with Shane Dowrich, Jermaine Blackwood and Marlon Samuels all falling within a four-over period.
From that point on it was a desparate fight for survival, with the Windies losing the fight.
Ramdin and Jason Holder briefly threatened something resembling a partnership, but the Australian bowlers kept plugging away and making breakthroughs, ably supported by some smart catching in the field.
It was all over when genuine No 11 batsman Shannon Gabriel edged Johnson to second slip.
Only Shai Hope's 36 at the top of the innings, which featured five impressive boundaries, gave the home side anything to smile about, while Bravo (19), Ramdin (19) and Holder (21) managed slight contributions as well.
In the Windies defence, batting did not prove as easy on the track as many would have expected, with some deliveries keeping low and others bouncing up sharply – as Australia would soon find out.
Jerome Taylor managed to extract some bounce from the pitch as well and dismissed David Warner in only the third over of the innings. The opener presented point with a simple catch after offering a leading edge to a delivery that was banged in short.
Shaun Marsh was next, nicking Holder to first slip for 19 before captain Michael Clarke edged Bishoo behind a few overs later, reducing the visitors to 61/3.
Steven Smith and Adam Voges steadied the ship, however, guiding Australia to 85/3 at the close of play, trailing the West Indies' total by only 63 runs.
Latest
-
EnglandLiam Livingstone praises England spinner Rehan Ahmed as ‘exceptional talent’
Ahmed has furthered his blossoming reputation against the West Indies by recording identical figures of 10-1-40-2 in two ODIs in Antigua.
-
EnglandLittle bit of relief – Sam Curran and England bounce back in Antigua
Curran laid the groundwork for England’s six-wicket win.
-
EnglandSam Curran and Jos Buttler return to form as England level series in Antigua
Chasing 203, Will Jacks put England into the ascendancy with a sparkling 73 off 72 balls.
-
EnglandSam Curran finds form as England bowl out West Indies for 202
Curran took three big scalps days after enduring a tough time in the first ODI.
-
EnglandAndrew Flintoff set to return to England’s backroom staff for Windies T20 series
Flintoff first linked up with the national side in an unpaid role for ODI series against New Zealand and Ireland before the World Cup.
-
Women's CricketDanni Wyatt stars on 150th T20I appearance as England begin India tour with win
Sophie Ecclestone returned figures of three for 15 on her comeback appearance after four months out with a shoulder injury.
-
EnglandHarry Brook blocks himself from ‘negativity’ by withdrawing from social media
Brook has left the running of his X and Instagram accounts to someone else.
-
Women's CricketSophie Ecclestone set for England return in T20 opener in India – Heather Knight
The world’s top-ranked limited-overs bowler underwent surgery after dislocating her shoulder in August.
-
EnglandRehan Ahmed rejects Sir Alastair Cook’s criticism of Jos Buttler’s captaincy
Several of Buttler’s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence.
-
Women's CricketMaia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson handed their first central contracts by ECB
England Women have once again issued 18 full-time deals.