MCG, MELBOURNE (Australia): Frank Worrell Trophy; Second Test Played at MCG on 26 December (Boxing Day) 2015

Australia 345/3 (Usman Khawaja 144, JA Burns 128, Jerome Taylor 2/83)

Rampaging Australia savaging West Indies attack raced to 345/3 by stumps of the Boxing Day threatening yet another impregnable position for winning the test and the series. West Indies appearing at MCG after 15 year face another daunting task of playing out of the skin from now on for competing in the test and series.

A very ordinary West Indies look completely mismatched with strong Australians much to the frustrations of the admirers of the great West Indian teams of the past. When match started an hours behind schedule for inclement weather, the West Indian captain was deceived by the grass cover. Expecting early movement under cloud cover young West India Captain opted to field. Cloud quickly disappeared, sun broke in and West Indian pacers failed bowling consistently on the right spot.

Australian batsmen batted like champions and scoring almost at a run a minute posted 345/3 with Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja scoring centuries before both getting out at the fag end of the last session. Captain Steve Smith on 32 and Adam Voges on 10 were together when stumps were drawn. With weather expected to remain favorable and wicket easing out visitors are required bowling and fielding much better tomorrow to remain in the contest. Otherwise the test and the series will fast slip out of their hands.

Melbourne weather as expected changed dramatically in 24 hours from sweltering 35 to 16 Degree Celsius with incessant rain and chilling winds. Bus ride from home to Ringwood station, train journey to Richmond Station and walk to “G” was done through rain and strong wind. When we entered the stadium the wicket and outfield were covered and rain was still dropping at 9:00am. It was dark with low visibility as well. Rain ceased by 10:30am (scheduled time of starting). Excellent drainage system of MCG as well as highly skilled ground staff made the ground ready by 11:00am for starting the match one hour behind schedule.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field first. Grass and cloud cover possibly deceived young West Indies captain Jason Holder. Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach were expected to exploit the condition. Flamboyant David Warner unleashed at the very outset savaging the first over of erratic Roach to 17 in his first over. Australia raced to 29 by the 5th over. Taylor though was troubling the Australian openers a bit with brisk pace. Warner trying to cut Taylor a ball too close to him top edged. Marlon Samuel juggled but held on giving West Indies a vital break through.

Desperate Holder introduced himself in a bit to control damage. He kept tight leash on Australian batsmen seaming both ways. But, careful Khawaja and Burns managed to survive. Khawaja was, however, given a reprieve off Taylor in the slip. If that opportunity was not grassed West Indies could create some impacts. From there on, Khawja and Burns batted superbly putting together 258 second wicket partnership.

West Indian attack was neither penetrative nor steady and fielding was very ordinary. MCG crowd, who had witnessed brilliant West Indians of the past, could hardly believe this to be a team coming from the same country.

Burns played a classic innings of 128 in 230 balls with 16 fours and a six. It was his second century in 7 tests. Usman Khawaja looked a bit tentative early on but once he got tuned he looked fluent in his 227-ball 144 before edging behind to Ramadain off Taylor. This was his third century in his last three test matches. Selectors took calculated gamble in preferring Burns and Khawaja over Shaun Marsh despite his 182-run in the last test match.

The gamble paid off. Adam Voges joined Smith and at stumps remained unconquered. West Indies will require making inroads into Australian innings early in the first session of the second day for avoiding another humiliation. Much stronger and incisive Australian attack will make life extremely difficult for the West Indians if Australia race to a massive first innings score.

West Indies bowling and fielding appeared pretty ordinary. There were talks in the Members gallery why so many talented West Indians playing in T20 league in different countries including Australia are not representing their country? The young team requires some established quality players to groom.

West Indians were overawed in MCG as none except Marlon Samuels in the team has previous experience. Holder in a way did it right in opting to field. Otherwise very strong Australian bowling attack could destroy West Indian batting taking advantage of bowling friendly early condition.

BDST: 1849 HRS, DEC 26, 2015
SR/SMS