Adam Voges shines on debut as Australia finish on top against West Indies on Day 2 of 1st Test

After establishing a lead of 170 and removing the two West Indian openers before stumps on Day 2, Australia are in a position to dictate

Although Australia were slightly better than their opponents on Day 1, they laid bare the gulf between the sides on Day 2, ending proceedings on a high at Dominica. Australia showed their potential with the bat and have sent West Indies on the back foot. Ayush Gupta takes a look at how they turned things around.

Day 1 ended on an even note for Australia, after they bowled out West Indies for a paltry total of 148, relieved to have restricted them to a slender total at their own backyard. However, when they batted, it looked like they were to suffer like their West Indian counterparts. Three quick wickets fell in the form of David Warner, Shaun Marsh and skipper, Michael Clarke, and this kept Australia on the back foot at the end of that day. READ: Australia finish atop on Day 2 as they lead by 145 runs against West Indies in 1st Test at Dominica

Wickets continued to tumble at the start of the next day. Resuming on 85 for three, the fourth wicket fell on Day 2 in the form of Steven Smith, who fell prey to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and was stumped for 25 after he charged down the track and failed to negotiate the huge turn away from him. READ: West Indies vs Australia, Live Score, 1st Test Match, Australia tour of West Indies, 2015

With just five added to the total, Bishoo dismissed Shane Watson for 11 as a flighted ball outside off stump tempted the batsman to go for a drive, which resulted in a thick outside edge taken by Jason Holder at first slip.

With 14 more added to the total, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin joined the list of batsmen undone by Bishoo. His dismissal was executed expertly, as Bishoo came up with a delivery not dissimilar to the ‘Ball of the Century’. The ball turned sharply after landing between middle and off stump, before it went on to hit the stumps.

Bishoo claimed his 50th Test wicket after getting Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc out for 20 and a duck respectively.

With eight wickets already down for 178, Australia had a lead of 30 runs. Although No. 10 Nathan Lyon showed some fighting spirit, he was only able to contribute 22, before being trapped leg-before to Shannon Gabriel, with the DRS unable to save him, as Australia brought up their 200.
However, just when it seemed that the West Indies would gain a slender lead, Adam Voges and Josh Hazlewood stitched a healthy 94-run stand, which frustrated the home side. The stand also enabled Voges to score his maiden Test ton in his debut game, the third oldest batsman to do so in his debut game. READ: Adam Voges makes Australia debut in 1st Test against West Indies at Dominica; handed Baggy Green by Brendon Julian

This partnership did quite a lot of damage to West Indies, undoing the otherwise good work by their bowling unit. By the time the final wicket fell, in the form of Hazlewood, who was defeated by a good delivery from part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels, Australia had earned a healthy lead of 170.

West Indies opening batsmen – Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite – came in with confidence to see out the short burst of bowling by the Australian attack. However, in the fifth over, with just 21 on the board, spear-gun Johnson struck first blood, sending back Hope for two. A short ball was not defended well enough by the batsman, who handed a simple catch to Clarke at first slip.

On the very next ball, of a fresh over from Mitchell Starc, Brathwaite departed for 15 after his stumps were shattered off a fast delivery that swung in to him, the swing leading to his loss of balance; a space between bat and pad was enough for the ball to sneak through. The day ended at 25 for two, West Indies still trailing, by 145 runs.

Although West Indies were on top initially, Australia gained control of the innings. West Indian bowlers lost their rhythm and erred in the line to bowl, handing the advantage to the tail-end Australian batsmen. The final wicket partnership may have led to fatigue and demoralization of West Indies that could well have led to the early dismissal of their opening batsmen. Bishoo was the lone star among West Indian bowlers, as he claimed his first-ever six wicket haul in an innings, among which the highlight was his expertly-conjured delivery to get rid of Haddin.

However, credit must go to Australia’s final batting pair, and especially, Voges, for his brilliant knock. The Australian bowlers, too, did a good job of claiming early wickets, which brings us to an exciting Day 3. The first session would be important for West Indies, as early wickets in the day could lead to an easy cakewalk for the visitors, with a win on Day 3 itself.

(Ayush Gupta is a reporter at CricketCountry. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he idolises Roger Federer and is also a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) maniac. He can be followed on Twitter @Ayush24x7)