Australia and West Indies played the 2nd and final test of the short series which began on Thursday. The game is a day and night test match with the Australians already holding a 1-0 lead in the series.
The home team came into the game after winning the first test at Perth on the final day. Pat Cummins was ruled out of the game as Steve Smith was made the captain of the side. The West Indians too had a few new faces in their test playing XI.
The story as it happened –
Australia won the toss and chose to bat first to make use of the friendly batting conditions at the Adelaide Oval. The home team already without Pat Cummins lost Josh Hazlewood as well as the duo were replaced by Scott Boland and Michael Neser.
West Indies on the other hand gave debuts to Marquinho Mindley and Devon Thomas while Anderon Philip came in for Kemar Roach. The other players to miss out where Kyle Mayers and Jayden Seales.
Travis Head’s funny conversation with the West Indians –
Travis Head has been in amazing form with the bat for Australia in test cricket. The left hander is playing in front of his home crowd at Adelaide. During the late evening session, West Indian skipper Brathwaite was heard asking Head “if it is always cold here and is it like this at night?”
West Indies' Adelaide tour guide: Travis Head #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/pXSBU78134
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2022
Head first thought he was speaking about the low attendance for day 1 of a test and said there are large crowds expected on weekends. The West Indian wicket keeper Joshua Da Silva then said the question was about the weather to which head said it was always cold. Da Silva then relayed the message back to his skipper.
Australia in early trouble –
David Warner continued his bad form as he fell for 21 caught behind off Joseph. The Australian opening pair added 34 runs for the 1st wicket. Labuschagne and Khawaja then added 95 runs in 32 over as Khawaja scored 62.
The left hander became Devon Thomas first test wicket as Australia were soon 131 for 3 after losing Steve Smith for a duck. Head came into join Labuschagne and the pair have added an unbroken 199 run stand.
Labuschagne and Head score twin tons –
After scoring 204 and 104 not out, Marnus Labuschagne kept his good scoring form going as he stayed not out on 120 off 235 balls with 11 fours. Travis Head meanwhile was the more robust of the two. Head had missed his century by a single run in the 1st test and was not out 114 off 139 balls with 12 fours. The Australian team ended the day at 330/3 from the 89 overs of play they had on the 1st day.