West Indies v Australia – 2nd Test (Day 1) – Match Recap – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at 208/5 on Day 1
Following their 3-wicket win against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in the first Test of the ongoing Frank-Worrell trophy, the Australians faced off against their hosts a second time at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad for the second Test, scheduled to
be played from April 15 to 19.
The tourists won the toss and Michael Clarke elected to bat first on what appeared to be a difficult pitch, justifying the concerns over the tricky surface that experts and players alike had expressed prior to the commencement of the match. The early turn
witnessed on the first-day suggests an increasing struggle for the batsmen on both sides, but the Aussies managed to put up a respectable show, ending the first day on 208 for 5.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/S-Shillingford-c2397, who justified his return to the squad by clinching an early wicket, breaking up the comfortable partnership
by forcing Warner to drive at a full delivery, with skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJG-Sammy-c1382 taking the catch at slip.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KAJ-Roach-c1758, lbw.
The 30-year-old vice-captain, however, appeared to be handling the surface well. Following Cowan’s dismissal, he was joined at the crease by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377, who continued what has so far been a mediocre turn with the bat, scoring a disappointing 7 before
Roach struck yet again with skipper Darren Sammy showing the presence of mind to take the catch after wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh’s error.
The threat of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 (45) stepped up to bat, and established a 4th wicket 84-run partnership with the all-rounder, bringing their side up to 167.
After Clarke’s dismissal at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-Barath-c886 a catch at short leg.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Matthew-Wade-c1933 (11) were the next pair up to bat, and struck up what appeared to be a promising partnership which reached 30 before play was stopped for the day, with the Aussies at 208 for 5.
With 5 wickets down, Hussey and Wade have a lot of responsibility riding on their shoulders, as they look to get their side up to a least 300 on what has proved to be an exceptionally low and slow track.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PM-Siddle-c2197 has also been sidelined as the
selectors favoured a two-pronged spin attack, comprising http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Beer-c1949, specifically suited to the pitch at the Queen's Park Oval.
The Windies bowlers seem content on exploiting the turn in the pitch, declining the second new ball, with Shillingford (32-11-56-2), Roach (18-4-77-2), and Deonarine (15-3-28-1) proving particularly effective, while Sammy put forth an impressive display
of economy, conceding just 16 runs in 12 overs.
The second day of play is likely to see the Aussie batsmen struggling for runs on an increasingly difficult pitch, as the Windies bowlers attempt to restrict their opponents.
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