Jason Holder’s words that West Indies can exploit Australia’s weaknesses came back to haunt him, as Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh hit brilliant hundreds and stitched up a mammoth unbeaten 316-run partnership to guide Australia to 438/3 on day one of the first Test of the Frank-Worrell Trophy at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
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Hard running from Marsh allowed Voges to bring up his third Test century, coming at a run a ball, and the pair went on to build towards double-centuries.
“I sort of started a little bit slow but once I got into my rhythm I felt really good out there and I think Vogesy really helped with that”, Marsh added. “I am sure he’s going to be around the squad this summer and he’ll get an opportunity to play at some point”.
Achieving this would give Australia a $1.75 million windfall including bonuses for series wins and the top ranking in the test and one day cricket arena.
Of the bowlers, only skipper Jason Holder was able to stem the flow of runs, and was the only bowler to concede less than four to the over.
Khawaja will be expected to return to the side when he recovers from injury, but selection was not in Marsh’s thoughts after he made his third Test century. “I got 99 a year ago (against India), so to get to three figures on home soil was pretty special”.
Australia’s Steve Smith walks off the field after being dismissed West Indies’ Jomel Warrica …
While Australia rollicked along, they lost three wickets in a breezy first session of play, as openers Warner and Joe Burns set about helping themselves to the West Indian bowling attack.
Burns was clean-bowled by paceman Shannon Gabriel for 33 and Smith was caught at first slip off Warrican for 10.
Despite being the world’s fifth-ranked batsman, Warner has surprisingly never scored heavily against the Windies, averaging just 26.90 from five Tests, well down on his career mark of 50.48. “If we can get some early wickets with the new ball, we can get guys like Shaun Marsh, who are trying to make their way back into the side, and put them under some pressure to score”.
“It just happened to flow really well from the start today”.
Gabriel, who left the pitch during the final session Thursday, was seen walking with the aid of crutches at the ground on Friday.
James Pattinson was Australia’s only change, getting the nod ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile to replace Mitchell Starc who is to have ankle surgery.
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The build-up has been underwhelming for fans with official forecasts predicting fewer than 10,000 turning up over the first four days in Hobart, compared to the 123,000 that poured through Adelaide’s turnstiles for the first-ever day-night Test against New Zealand late last month.
