Perth: Double centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith helped Australia declare their first innings at 598 for four on the second day of the first Test against the West Indies here on Thursday. West Indies were 74 for no loss at stumps due to bad light. This was Labushen’s second double century and he was dismissed on the last ball before lunch after scoring 204 runs.
Smith completed an unbeaten 200 as Australia declared after Travis Head was dismissed for 99, bowled by off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite. This bowler was the most successful bowler of the visiting team, who took two wickets for 65 runs. West Indies had played 25 overs, with opener Brathwaite scoring 18 runs and debutant Tejnarine Chanderpaul scoring 47 runs at the crease.
Tejnarine, son of legendary batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, also had some testing at the crease and was hit in the groin by fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. Australia started playing at 293 for two in the morning when Labushen was on 154 and Smith was on 59. The West Indies team was desperate to get wickets in the overcast sky. But Labushen and Smith continued the rhythm of last night and put a mountain of runs in front of the visiting team.
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Labushen completed his double century by hitting his 20th four on fast bowler Jaden Seals towards the covers. But he touched the bat off Braithwaite and caught wicketkeeper Joshua de Silva to reach the pavilion. West Indies gave life to Labushen on scores of 132 and 194 runs. Labushen had earlier scored the previous double century by scoring 215 against New Zealand in 2020 in Sydney.
This time he batted for 483 minutes in which he played 350 balls and scored one six and 20 fours. His dismissal ended his 251-run partnership with Smith for the third wicket. This is the sixth highest partnership for the third wicket in the history of Australia. By lunch, Australia were 402 for three and the middle session was in Smith’s name.
He equaled Don Bradman by scoring his 29th century in his 88th Test. Smith completed his hundred by taking a single before lunch. Only Ricky Ponting (41), Steve Waugh (32) and Matthew Hayden (30) have scored more centuries for Australia. Smith faced 311 balls and scored 18 fours to complete his fourth double century.
His last three double centuries came against England, of which his career-best 239 came in 2017. Smith and Head shared a 196-run partnership for the fourth wicket. As soon as Smith’s double century was completed, he missed his century by just one run by getting out. Head stayed at the crease for 160 minutes in which 95 balls were hit with 11 fours. (agency)