AUSTRALIA v WEST INDIES, FIRST TEST, DAY FOUR:
Score: Australia 4-598 declared and 2-182 declared. West Indies 283 and 3-192
SUMMARY: Marnus Labuschagne notched an unbeaten century before Australia declared at 2-182 at lunch on day four, setting the West Indies 498 runs for victory in five sessions. Openers Kraigg Brathwaite (101no) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (45) combined for a 116-run stand to set a strong foundation, but the West Indies still need a further 306 runs to claim what would be an unlikely victory. Australia skipper Pat Cummins spent 36.3 overs off the field due to a right quad injury, but he’s a chance to bowl again on Sunday.
MAN OF THE MOMENT: Marnus Labuschagne became just the eighth player in Test history to post a double-century and a ton in the same match. His second-innings knock of 104no off 110 balls was streaky, but his ton capped a brilliant match following on from his 204 in the first dig. He should have been out on 19 on Saturday when he edged a rising delivery from Alzarri Joseph onto his helmet and was caught, only for Joseph to be called for a front-foot no-ball.
KEY MOMENT: The West Indies were cruising at 0-116 before Mitchell Starc came over the wicket and got Chanderpaul to chop on. It gave Australia some all-important momentum, and Shamarh Brooks fell five overs later.
STAT OF THE DAY: 167. That’s Labuschagne’s Test average at Optus Stadium after plundering scores of 143, 50, 204 and 104no in his four knocks there.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “”Obviously I had a bit of luck today with that bouncer. He was bowling quite fast and I got away with one” – Labuschagne was counting his lucky stars after a no-ball saved him on 19.
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