Australia continue struggle against WI attack: T3D1

Australia 7/212 (90 ov, Warner 50, Shillingford 4/77) v West Indies T3/3 D1/5 at Dominica.

David Warner's 50 in an uncharacteristically snail-like 136b (6x4) which was nevertheless the top score reflected how difficult the Australian batting found the West Indies attack on a wicket which was not exactly batsman-friendly.

Only Ed Cowan of the top seven failed to make double figures, though Shane Watson's  41/120b (3x4) was the next highest to Warner, with whom he added 83 for the second wicket. Four others, including the two not out battters Matt Wade and Mitchell Starc made twenties.

Not a good day for the visitors though the West Indies kept up the pressure in the field after an early lapse gave Warner a life off Ravi Rampaul.  On his home ground Shane Shillingford's bounce and turn yielded 34-8-77-4. Apart from being an unusually long number of overs for a spinner to bowl in a day, let alone the first day of a Test, it has given the West Indies, not for the first time in the series, the upper hand. Without Warner's let off and Wade and Starc's unbroken eighth wicket partnership of 43, that upper hand would be more like a firm grip.


Scorecard