Australia vs West Indies - Hobart

Gee, it was great to be back at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Australia last played Test Cricket in Tasmania, against the Kiwis, in 2001. This time, the 2nd test against the West Indies was the first time our Caribbean counterparts had played here. One thing’s for sure the visitors needed the jumpers, and more because they had plenty of time in the cool field chasing leather.

Gee, it was great to be back at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Australia last played Test Cricket in Tasmania, against the Kiwis, in 2001. This time, the 2nd test against the West Indies was the first time our Caribbean counterparts had played here. One thing’s for sure the visitors needed the jumpers, and more because they had plenty of time in the cool field chasing leather.

Shiv Chanderpaul won the toss and this time elected to bat on a track that has a reputation of producing mothers of all first innings scores. With a line-up that failed to fire in Brisbane, the Windies had the chance to make a game of it, albeit a 5day game, with a big first innings score. It didn’t happen, again!

The West Indies was atrocious save Gayle’s 56, limping off after just 69 overs with a pathetic 149 on the board. With Justin Langer still injured, Michael Hussey took the chance to build his test career, opening again with Matty Hayden, and what Huss squandered in Brisbane, he made up for it in Hobart.

Going to stumps on day one 0/60 after 18overs, the writing was on the West Indies wall; their only salvage at this early stage a whopping Tasmania storm to blow over for the weekend. They got part of their wish as day 2 only allowed 48 overs, but enough for Haydos and Huss to smash 231 and break the previous Bellerive record opening stand of 223 set by Haydos and Lang in 2001! (Below: Bellerive is one Australia's nicest venues. Wish we had more test cricket here!)

In the process Huss reached his first test hundred, and Haydos knocked his 4th consecutive century, before falling for 110, 10overs from bad light. Weather stood in the way of play until 10am the following day, and in the way of 5000 school kiddies that had come from over the country to watch cricket. It was a shame to see the kids leave, soaked, before a run had been scored. Some were lucky to see an over, but they all had to leave for some long drives home.

Ending day two at 1-256, there seemed little cause for inspiration in the West Indies camp on day 3, even snaring Ricky Ponting on his first ball after Huss drove a single off the first ball. If the Windies gave themselves a chance of keeping control of Australia it came in the 73rd over when Clarke played his last test innings for sometime, drilling a catch to the substitute fielder at point, for 5.

At 3-272, the Windies were bowling with renewed vigor and with pressure and application, they got Hussey for a splendid 137, Andrew Symonds in his return test for 1, Adam Gilchrist for 2, and Shane Warne Popcorn for 1, to have Australia 7-324. Brad Hodge, finally on debut, looked like he was playing his 100th test on his way to a smooth 60, and with Brett Lee 18, Stuart MacGill 20, and Glenn McGrath 14, took Australia to 406. Considering Australia was 1-257, 406 is nowhere near enough to back up the efforts of Haydos and Huss.

Still, that’s the score and the West Indies came and faced 25 overs before bad light ended day 3, but not before four batsmen were showering for their drive home that night. Chris Gayle was cleaned up in the first over what’s more, and the visitors were looking a sodden sight at 4-82, 175runs short of making Australia bat again, and day 4 looked like being it! Yes, it looked like being it but test cricket always has a few aces up the sleeve. (Below: Lined up for day one, a few days before the rest of the Flaggers arrived for a great weekend on Hoabrt!)

Day four started early again with Australia needing one over’s worth of wickets to win by an innings and a shed load. But finally, and thankfully, for the sake of world cricket, 2 West Indians stood up to be counted. Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin came together at 6-140 and kept their eyes on the ball for 182 terrific runs, to not only show some heart but also ensure Australia had to bat again. Though only setting Australia 78runs to win, it has to be a psychological and confidence boost to their team heading into the 3rd test in Adelaide.

At 22, Dwayne Bravo showed reason why he's in the side as a promising all-rounder on the way to recording his 2nd test hundred, and highest test score of 113, and cemented his plac for what hopefully will be a long time to come. At the other end, 20year old wicket keeper Ramdin also notched his highest test score of 71. Until each batsman was out, neither looked troubled on their way to erasing the deficit, setting Australia a winning total, and taking the game into day 5.

The fight back not only pleased us, but the small throng of Windies’ supporters who’d travelled from the Caribbean. Yes, many Australians travel there but the economies are somewhat different and thus our ‘expensive’ travels to Central America are nothing compared with the expense of doing it in reverse. So it was great to see a handful of Windies’ flags colouring the small terrace at mid-wicket, and great for all to see the visitors push the game the near distance.

Considering day 4 started with the expectation of a triple hat trick in the first over to end it there and then, having to commute to Bellerive on day 5 was something that kept this report on schedule for 3days after the game (yes, I was planning on writing this late day 4)!

The West Indies’ final wicket fell on the last ball of the day and day 5 kicked off with Huss taking the first cherry to continue where he left off in the first. Haydos was never troubled on his way to 46 until tragedy struck. With scores level, and 4runs short of another half century, Haydos went the hoik over mid-wicket, only to miss-cue and be caught at cover. Ricky ducked under 3 bouncers to see out the over, allowing Huss to hit the winning run, and secure the Frank Worrell Trophy once again for Australia.

Looking at the pathetic West Indies first innings, the game eventuated into a rather entertaining match that wouldn’t disappoint too many punters that turned up for 5days’ play. I know I wasn’t too upset at seeing five days, though wish I could foresee the West Indies day 4 fight back, and bring my lunch to save buying the bastard. Yes, ambush food pricing is in Tasmania too! Congratulations to Australia for retaining Frank once more. Congrats to Huss for his maiden test hundred, Brad Hodge for his test debut, and lessons learned by the West Indies on the eve of the 3rd test. Let’s hope we see them all in Adelaide!

Luke Gillian 23/11/2005 03:49:08