Windies plunge to innings defeat
HOBART, Australia (CMC) — West Indies suffered their worst Test defeat to Australia in 84 years when they crashed to an embarrassing innings and 212-run loss inside three days here Saturday.
Resuming at Bellerive Oval on 207 for six in their first innings, the Caribbean side were dismissed for 223 with left-hander Darren Bravo converting his overnight 94 into 108 — his seventh Test hundred.
Following on by a massive 360 runs, West Indies produced yet another inept batting display in their second innings to be rolled over in under two sessions in just over 36 overs for a paltry 148, to concede defeat about half-hour before tea.
Only opener Kraigg Brathwaite with a counter-attacking 94 showed any resistance, hammering 13 fours and a six off 122 deliveries before he was last out.
However, the 23-year-old righthander was the only top-order batsman to reach double figures, and one of just three in the innings overall.
Speedster James Pattinson claimed five for 27.
The defeat was the Windies’ 12th in the last 15 Tests against the Aussies and it left their campaign Down Under in a state of crisis, especially following their heavy 10-wicket defeat in a tour match last week against a Cricket Australia XI with an average age of 21.
Hanging by a thread at the start of the day, West Indies had reason for celebration as early as the first over when Bravo twice drove fast bowler Peter Siddle for offside boundaries to reach triple figures in his first Test innings in Australia.
The hundred, Bravo’s first in a year-and-a-half, came as part of 99-run, eighth-wicket stand with Kemar Roach (31).
All told, Bravo faced 177 deliveries in a shade under 4-1/4 hours at the crease and counted 20 fours.
Any hopes of West Indies putting up an improved showing were quickly dashed when opener Rajindra Chandrika edged the ninth ball of the innings from Hazlewood to Captain Steve Smith at slip to register his third ‘duck’ in four Test innings.
Bravo lasted only 13 balls this time around before dragging Pattinson onto his stumps in the sixth over for four.
With all hope virtually expired, Brathwaite took matters into his own hands.
Brathwaite helped himself to 19 runs, inclusive of four boundaries, all textbook strokes on both sides of the wicket.
He moved into the 90s by steering a short ball from Hazlewood over gully for four, but with a century in sight was deceived next ball by one that came back and breached his defence.