Only rain can save Windies

The left-handers established a new record for an opening partnership in Tests on the ground, extending their stand from an overnight 60 to 231 before they were finally separated when Hayden, having completed his fourth hundred in as many Tests, was well caught by Dwayne Bravo at midwicket off Corey Collymore.

As in the First Test in Brisbane, the 28-year-old seamer was the one outstanding performer with the ball for the Caribbean side.

However with the other bowlers conceding runs at almost five runs per over, Australia were able to add 222 runs in the 48 overs bowled in the day, closing at 256 for one when bad light ended play with Hussey completing a maiden Test hundred and being unbeaten on 116 in partnership with his captain and local hero Ricky Ponting (17 not out).

Even with more inclement weather expected over the remaining three scheduled days of the match, Australia are already in absolute command with a first innings lead of 107 runs and nine wickets in hand heading into the third day today (last night, Caribbean time).

On a pitch that remains ideal for batting, the West Indies were bracing for another long, generally fruitless day in the field before being left with the almost impossible task of batting their way to safety for the remainder of the match.

In the wake of totals of 210, 129 and 149 so far in the series, that prospect seems highly unlikely and only persistent inclement weather looks capable of extending the match to the scheduled final day on Monday or denying Australia the victory that will ensure they retain the Frank Worrell Trophy ahead of the final Test next week in Adelaide. Not for the first time in the ten years since Mark Taylor’s men reclaimed the trophy in the Caribbean and broke the West Indies’ 15-year unbeaten run in Test series, there were brief moments of encouragement.

Yet it was too little to affect the overall state of the match, especially after the batting squander mania in the brilliant sunshine of Thursday when Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s men dug themselves into such a deep hole that it is only left for the Australians to complete the burial and seal the series.

A blanket of thick grey cloud brought with it a persistent drizzle that delayed the start of play by three-and-a-half hours on day two, much to the disappointment of over 6,000 primary schoolchildren from around the island of Tasmania who had been given the day off from classes to see a day’s Test cricket.

By the time play did get underway in very gloomy conditions and with a damp outfield, most of them had gone.

Those who did stay on, however, along with the diehard adults saw Hayden and Hussey negotiate a 45-minute period when the West Indies bowlers performed as Test players should.

Collymore did not concede a run from five overs, extending a streak of maidens to seven from the previous evening.

At the other end, Fidel Edwards and then Bravo maintained a full probing length like the senior bowler to keep the two left-handers in check with only 25 runs coming off ten overs before another light shower halted play for a further half-hour.

But, as invariably happens with the regional side, the discipline could not be sustained on the resumption and 70 runs were plundered in nine overs in Collymore’s absence.

Thereafter it was a question of when, not if, they would complete their centuries. Hayden showed glimpses of his most intimidating mood, walking into a delivery from Bravo and smashing the medium-pacer for six over wide long-on.

Yet for the most part, he was prepared to accumulate his runs, cashing in on the occasional half-volleys and friendly short-pitched deliveries served up by bowlers unaccustomed to maintaining a consistent line and length for any significant period of time.

Hussey, who had scores of 1 and 29 on his Test debut at the Gabba two weeks earlier, was determined to make the most of what could be his last opportunity for some time, especially with regular opener Justin Langer expected to be fit and available for the Third Test.

The 30-year-old West Australian has now given his country’s selectors a headache they would not mind having in an almost flawless innings.

His one real escape came the previous evening when he edged Edwards past a stationary Denesh Ramdin behind the stumps, although he did pull a no-ball off the same bowler on 91 that a diving Brian Lara at midwicket could not hold on to.

Hussey then glanced Edwards to the fine-leg fence to reach the coveted hundred with his 17th four off 164 balls after 235 minutes at the crease.

Hayden was not far behind in completing a 24th Test century with ten fours and one six off 154 balls in 252 minutes. Chanderpaul then summoned Collymore for one last effort of the evening and after conceding 11 runs in his first over back into the attack, the Barbadian got the reward he deserved courtesy of Bravo’s sharp catch.

His figures at the end of the day of one for 34 off 17 overs, with eight maidens, were a testament to his discipline and perseverance.

They are qualities that have generally remained elusive in West Indian cricket, not just on this tour, but for much of the last ten years.