Waugh, Hayden hammer impressive centuries

GEORGETOWN: Centuries by captain Steve Waugh and open Matthew Hayden yesterday ensured the touring Australians a fine opening day in their warm-up match against the West Indies Cricket Board’s Carib Beer XI team.

The visitors, who dominated the entire day’s play, were an imposing 377 for three at the close, with Waugh undefeated 106 and the left-handed Darren Lehmann 44 not out. The two have so far shared in an unfinished fourth wicket partnership of 112 in 121 minutes after coming together at tea with the score on 265 for three. Waugh, who is aiming to return Australia to the number one world ranking team in Tests, reached the three-figure mark just before the close of play and has so far struck 14 fours and a six in 215 minutes off 153 balls."

The consistent Hayden had earlier slammed a brilliant 102, as all the top-order batsmen made full use of a good batting wicket, opener Justin Langer hitting 60 and Martin Love 56. Hayden and fellow left-hander Langer gave the visitors a rousing start of 105 in 95 minutes before Langer was adjudged leg before wicket sweeping at left-arm spinner Dave Mohamed. His knock included nine fours in 95 minutes off 61 balls. Hayden, who got to his 50 with three boundaries in one over, including two sixes off off-spinner Omari Banks, had struck seven fours and two sixes in the morning session.

At lunch, Hayden was on 70 and Love, who is vying for a Test place in the absence of the injured Damien Martyn, on two. Resuming after lunch at 133 for one, the visitors continued to punish the Carib Beer XI bowling attack, adding a further 132 in the two-hour session while losing the wickets of Hayden and Love for 56 in the final over before tea. The left-handed Hayden added 75 for the second wicket with Love before he was magnificently taken at wide mid-on by a leaping Marlon Black off the bowling of left-arm spinner Dave Mohamed, who had also trapped Langer LBW, sweeping at a full length delivery. Hayden’s 60th First Class century included 12 fours and two sixes in 153 minutes off 125 balls.

Love and skipper Steve Waugh continued to play a number of delightful strokes, but in the final over before tea Love edged off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh, who accepted the catch. Love’s 56 included six fours in 142 minutes off 115 balls. Australia, who is currently down to 13 players following the forced withdrawals of ace fastbowler Glenn McGrath and middle-order batsman Damien Martyn, opted to rest vice-captain Ricky Pointing and fast bowler Brett Lee after winning the toss and electing to take first strike.