Aussies snatch the initiative

ST. JOHN’S: Australia’s openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden emphatically grabbed the initiative from the West Indies cricketers here yesterday with an unbroken opening stand of 171 late on the second day of the fourth and final Test.

Langer was unbeaten 80 and fellow left-hander Hayden on 79 as the visitors closed at 171 without loss in their second innings. Australia’s bowlers had enjoyed the first two sessions as the West Indies, resuming from 47 for two, were bowled out for 240, level with Australia on first innings. Australia had also folded for 240 in their first innings on the first day. Captain Brian Lara topscored with a boundary-studded 68 that was sparked by confrontations with the Australian fielders. The champion left-hander became the third West Indian and 13th batsman to pass 8,000 runs when he was 23. He also passed Sir Garfield Sobers (8,032) into second among West Indians during his innings. Andy Bichel claimed Lara for the fourth time in the series on his way to the best figures of three for 53. Brett Lee effected a crucial run out, as well as grabbing three for 72 while Glenn McGrath took two for 44. With their enterprising stand, Langer and Hayden solidly laid the foundations for a historic victory and a 4-0 sweep in the four-match rubber.

The 32-year-old Langer set the tempo and raced to his half century off 68 balls with a six over midwicket. But his 31-year-old partner emerged later to close the gap. Hayden’s 50 took 95 deliveries and included nine fours. The blossoming partnership, which spanned nearly three hours, was the pair’s ninth century stand in 36 innings together. They have already stretched four of them to more than 200. Hayden benefited from one chance at 47 when Lara grassed a low edge at first slip off Omari Banks’ off-break. Both batsmen counted 12 fours and a six each in their knocks. Langer faced 115 balls, while Hayden occupied 127. Earlier, fast bowler Lee made a double breakthrough after half hour with the wickets of opener Devon Smith and nightwatchman Vasbert Drakes. Left-hander Smith made 37 before he nicked a catch to the wicket-keeper. Drakes was plumb leg before for 21 as he shuffled across his stumps. The pair added 43 for the third wicket.

Lara and his deputy Ramnaresh Sarwan revived the innings from 80 for four in a stand of 57 for the fifth wicket. But Bichel held a return catch off Sarwan (24) to halt their progress. When McGrath bowled Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1) three runs later, the West Indies slipped to 140 for six. Lara found another useful partner in Ridley Jacobs, and the experienced duo put on 45 to lift the home crowd. But Lee’s sharp fielding cut that stand short and exposed the tail. Lee’s direct hit of the striker’s stumps after fielding a firm straight drive left Jacobs run out, just short of his ground. The Antiguan hit five fours in 26 and had just begun to look dangerous.  Lara eventually fell to Bichel in an over that he clouted him for three boundaries. The 34-year-old lashed a catch to mid-off as Bichel gained revenge. Lara hit 12 fours and a six in his 94-ball knock. The tail wagged briefly as Omari Banks (13 not out), Mervyn Dillon (12) and Jermaine Lawson (14) showed resistance. But Lee castled Dillon and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill had Lawson caught at slip to ensure the visitors would not concede a lead.