Chanderpaul ton hurts Aussies

Cricket365
April 8, 2012

Shivnarine Chanderpaul's 25 Test century put the West Indies in a commanding position on day two of the second Test against Australia in Barbados on Sunday.

The veteran left-hander scored an unbeaten 103 as the home side declared on 449 for nine. In reply the Australian openers Ed Cowan and David Warner guided the tourists to 44 without loss, still 405 runs behind.

Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo got the second day off to a slow start with both batsmen happy to push the ball around for some rare singles. After a lean run in the limited overs' series Bravo showed he was at home in the longer form of the game with a patient 51 before he played into the hands of Michael Hussey at gully off Shane Watson.

Narsingh Deonarine tried to up the tempo as he came in and smashed four boundaries in a knock of 21 before he edged Ryan Harris through to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade. After Carlton Baugh got himself run out with some indecisive calling, captain Darren Sammy came in with all guns blazing.

Sammy hit three huge sixes in his brief innings of 41, while also taking a knock square on the helmet from a Watson bouncer. However, he Kemar Roach and Fidel Edwards fell in quick succession and it was up to Devendra Bishoo to preserve his wicket for Chanderpaul to make his ton.

The left-hander got the century of 235 balls and Sammy declared soon after.

With a deficit of 449 staring them in the face, Australian openers Ed Cowan (13 not out) and David Warner (27 not out) showed no signs of being intimidated by the total and raced to 44 without loss off 9.5 overs when they were offered the light at the Kensington Oval.