Windies crumble once more

Cricket365
April 25, 2012

A poor effort from the West Indies top order after a maiden ton from Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade ensured that the visitors held the ascendancy at the close of day two in Dominica.

It was an all too familiar tale; a failure to wrap up the tail followed by a batting horror show. Such a scenario played out once more on day two of the third Test in Dominica, with Australia stamping their authority on proceeding as their hosts stuttered.
Having seen Shane Shillingford spin the Australian top order out on day one, the West Indies would have been hoping to nip out a few quick wickets and get on with the small matter of batting while the pitch was still behaving itself.
Unfortunately for the home fans, Darren Sammy's men were unable to do so.
Matthew Wade – with support from first Mitchell Starc and then Ben Hilfenhaus – ensured that 116 runs were scored in the morning session, propelling Australia to a first innings total of 328. It was a score that seemed unlikely when the last of the recognised batsmen was dismissed with the total on 164.
On the way there, Wade notched up his maiden Test hundred, a superb knock that balanced aggression and patience. Michael Clarke spoke earlier in the week of Brad Haddin's status as Australia's number one wicketkeeper -it's hard to believe he will remain there for long with Wade in the mix.
All was not lost for the West Indies though, while frustrating, 328 was not an insurmountable total.
When Ben Hilfenhaus had Kraigg Brathwaite caught behind in the third over suddenly it seemed the Mount Everest of first innings scores.
Adrian Barath and Kieran Powell produced a resurgence of some sort with a stand of 61 before the Australian spinners came to the fore.
Having seen Powell dropped by Ricky Ponting at short cover in his previous over, Lyon would not be denied again as he removed Barath (29) with a ball that spun sharply into the batsman, with the edge found as Barath looked to turn the ball to leg, providing Ed Cowan at short leg with a simply catch.
The new man Darren Bravo was provided with a few early boundaries as the part-time spin of David Warner was introduced. It seemed a curious move, but Michael Clarke proved why is the Australian captain and not many others as Warner provided the wicket of Bravo, the batsman pushing forward and edging a looping catch to Cowan.
Powell (40) played on shortly after the tea break to give Lyon his second scalp and the wicket promoted a collapse from what remained of the middle order and those that came below them.
First Narsingh Deoanrine (seven) was caught lbw by Ryan Harris before Carlton Baugh (five) provided Lyon his third wicket and Cowan his third catch at short leg.
Following a typically caviller innings, skipper Darren Sammy (ten) was run out courtesy from a direct hit from Cowan. Shane Shillingford couldn't even last more than one ball as he was bowled by Starc first up.
All the while Shivnarine Chanderpaul stood firm, watching the carnage unfold at the other end.

Chanderpaul (34*) finally found a welcome ally in an aggressive Ravi Rampaul (24*) and the pair saw play through to the close where the West Indies found themselves on 165 for eight, 163 runs behind.