Aussies v. Windies - First Test.

Donny · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2003 12:59 am

Lara and Waugh ready to prove their points
Reuters - 9 April 2003

Brian Lara and Steve Waugh will have contrasting points to prove as West Indies tackle world champions Australia on Thursday at the start of a Test series to relish.

The 33-year-old Lara, back in charge of the team after Carl Hooper's demotion, will be looking to prove himself as a leader.

Waugh, 37, axed from the one-day side as a front-line player but whose captaincy skills are unquestioned, will be keen to show he can still contribute with the bat in his world-record 157th Test appearance.

Their places in the limelight, following larger-than-life exploits in the past two series in the Caribbean, were already assured, but the absences of Hooper, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have underlined their pivotal roles.

Hooper, sacked as captain last month after West Indies were knocked out of the World Cup in the first round, has left his selectors guessing over whether he will retire.

Warne, meanwhile, is serving a 12-month drugs ban while McGrath will return for the second half of the four-Test series after spending time with his sick wife.

The Australians, fresh from retaining the World Cup under the captaincy of Ricky Ponting, will be seeking to go back to the top of the world Test standings after being usurped by South Africa.

"I've thought about it a few times," said Waugh. "That will be one of the motivating factors."

In the 1994-5 series, he averaged 107.25 over four Tests, including a double century in the decider at Kingston, Jamaica which effectively ended West Indies' domination of the world game as well as paving the way for Australia's emergence as the team to beat.

It was West Indies' first home defeat in 22 years and Australia's first series win against them since 1978.

Waugh, who made a century in the drawn tour opener against Guyana last week, was to be almost as inspirational in the 2000-1 home series, averaging 69.8.

Lara's time came in 1999 when he scored 213 in the second Test in Kingston against Australia, followed by 153 not out in Barbados and 100 in the fourth Test. Within a year, however, he had resigned as captain after failing to arrest his team's decline.

Despite Australia's problems -- strike bowler Jason Gillespie is also just back in the side after being forced out of the World Cup with a heel problem -- they will start as favourites.

Brad Hogg, so impressive in South Africa, seems certain to continue filling Warne's shoes after his nine wickets for 135 against Guyana, while fast bowler Brad Williams will hope for his Test debut.

Kristin5 · Fiery Redhead Joined: 19 Apr 2001

GOOD LUCK AUSSIES!

And GO STEVIE! Congratulations on the record number of Tests! (Yet another record for Stevie...he seems to be racking them up lately) Smile

couragous cloke · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2003 10:01 pm

donny, ive just woken up from the only sleep ill get for some time. ill be staying up 2nit and wont miss a minute of the action 2nit. i just hope to god that we bat first.

im looking forward to the young and impressive debut batsmen Devon Smith who has a heap of tallent and has the job of with standing the australian bowling attack with the new ball.

Good luck to both teams, (actually just westindies, lol)

Donny · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2003 10:07 pm

Well you may get some sleep after all, Clokey.

Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the next 5 days.

The Windies are getting some luck elready !!

HAL · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2003 10:08 pm

Well that's okay. Where can I get some sleep after all Clokey?

Donny · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 1:05 am

The weather looks good for a start on time. Clouds, but not threatening.

Looks a good toss to win.

Here we go .... up goes the coin ... West Indies win the toss and decide to bat.

Let the games begin !!

HAL · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 1:06 am

The Melbourne climate is fantastic! Oh. . . . I see.

Donny · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 1:08 am

The Aussies are playing both spinners!

Darren Lehmann will bat at 4.

MrsTarrant · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 2:08 am

Donny wishes for me to inform everyone that Brett Lee took the first wicket and Dizzy got another wicket shortly after to make the score 2/10. After 8 overs the score is 2/17. Don't worry couragous cloke you be getting to bed soon my love LoL! Smile

Donny · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 2:41 am

Well, here I am with Mrs Tarrant and Assasin, watching the start of an Australia v. West Indies Test series.

My first series was the wonderful 1960/61 tour of Oz by the Windies. Sobers and O'Neill got great centuries in the first Test and it became the first tie ever!

This first Test sees the Windies in big trouble at 5/54 after 17 overs. Hogg was brought on early by Waugh and the move proved a good one as Hoggy responded with 2 wickets in 2 balls.

Then Bichel got Lara, l.b.w. Big scalp, Bic !!

Kristin5 · Fiery Redhead Joined: 19 Apr 2001

Looks like another walk in the park for the Aussies. West Indies all out for 237 (great innings by Chanderpaul though) and Aussies are 1/120 after bad light stopped play (play will start half an hour earlier tonight).

Brian Lara had said that not even 350 would've been enough on this wicket for the first innings, so it looks like they're in some trouble.

Fradam · Joined: 21 Jun 1999 Location: Bendigo, Victoria

Well done Aussies. Very unusual to see 5 bowlers in the lineup. Bad luck to Martin Love who missed out. Bad luck to the Windies who got 3 pretty poor LBW's. Keep on rollin Punter!!!!!

Pies Premiers 2003 · KEEP SEPTEMBER FREE Joined: 01 Nov 2002 Location: vic

In see Chanderpaul made his 100 in only 67 odd balls....who was he smakcing around the park.... Shocked

Aussies seem to have all the answers......

JLC · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 2:12 pm

Aussies have done well. However there were a few crucial LBW decisions that went against the West Indies?? They said one was REALLY obvious as it got a fair piece of the bat. I will try and see the highlights tonight to see the ones they were referring to.

Lara apparently was in good nick before going out for 20 odd. Havnt seen his LBW decision.

However a listener i think brought up a valid point. How many times have umpires wasted time by seeing if a ball was four and whether the player touched the rope etc. If we can afford to spend time on that then why not with LBW ?? Afterall a wrong LBW decision costs you your innings.

jlc

JLC · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 2:28 pm

The LBW rule is a strange one. Any benefit of the doubt is meant to go the batsman. However it seems that in a lot of cases where the decision isnt plumb the benefit of the doubt goes to the bowler. The umpires need to re examine this rule. This is for cricket in general and not just this series.

jlc