Windies in a spot of bother

Harris, Hilfenhaus star for Aussies

Some fine batting by Ryan Harris and an electrifying spell of bowling from Ben Hilfenhaus looked to have turned the first Test with the West Indies in Australia’s favour on an engrossing fourth day here.

West Indies finished the day on 71 for five in its second innings, leading by just 114 runs after Australia’s tail wagged and Hilfenhaus knocked over their top order on Tuesday.

Earlier captain Michael Clarke declared Australia’s first innings at 406 for nine with his side still trailing by 43 runs. 

It was an aggressive move allowing his bowlers to attack the West Indian batsmen either side of tea and Hilfenhaus took advantage in the 25 minutes leading up to the break removing the top three.

Harris — who had earlier hit an unbeaten 68 — added the important scalp of Shivnarine Chanderpaul shortly after tea. 

It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes as the Australians had at one point been 199 runs behind with only three first innings wickets remaining. 

It looked as though the West Indies would have a commanding first innings lead when, just as they had on the third day, they broke through early on.

In the fourth over Mike Hussey drove at a ball from Kemar Roach that found the edge and Carlton Baugh dived across in front of first slip to claim the key wicket.

Peter Siddle started to duck the second ball that he received from Fidel Edwards but it didn’t climb as high as he’d anticipated. As he adjusted the ball looped off the bat where Kirk Edwards took another fine catch in the gully.

SCORE BOARD

West Indies (I Innings): 449/ 9 decl 

Australia (I Innings, O/n: 248/5):

Cowan c Baugh b Sammy14

Warner c Bravo b Sammy42

Watson c Baugh b Roach39

Ponting (run out)4

Clarke c Deonarine b Bishoo73

M Hussey c Baugh b Roach48

Wade c Bravo b F Edwards28

Siddle c K Edwards b F Edwards0

Harris (not out)68

Hilfenhaus b Roach24

Lyon (not out)40

Extras (LB-13, W-5, NB-5)26

Total (for 9 wkts decl, 145 overs)406

Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-65, 3-83, 4-133, 5-215, 6-249, 7-250, 8-285, 9-329.

Bowling: F Edwards 31-4-92-2, Roach 29-8-72-3, Bishoo 45-10-125-1, Sammy 21-6-65-2, Deonarine 19-5-36-0. 

West Indies (II Innings):

Barath b Hilfenhaus2

Brathwaite c Wade b Hilfenhaus0

K Edwards b Hilfenhaus1

Darren Bravo c Wade b Siddle32

Chanderpaul c Wade b Harris12

Deonarine (batting)20

Baugh (batting)2

Extras (LB-1, NB-1)2

Total (for 5 wkts, 38 overs)71

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-17, 5-67.

Bowling: Hilfenhaus 10-4-17-3, Watson 6-1-16-0, Harris 3-1-14-1, Siddle 9-2-11-1, Lyon 9-4-10-0, Clarke 1-0-2-0.