Aussies eye ‘Whitewash’

AUSTRALIA’S all-conquering cricket team, constantly looking for new motivations, are eyeing the possibility of handing West Indies their first whitewash in the Caribbean.

Australia have won the first two Tests of the four-match series by nine wickets and 118 runs without Glenn McGrath, one of the world’s most successful fast bowlers who will return for the third Test in Barbados next week. McGrath, whose wife has been ill, joined the squad in Port-of-Spain on Wednesday and has already been guaranteed his place back.

Australia captain Steve Waugh, contemplating a whitewash, said: “It would certainly be a great achievement, it’s probably in the back of our minds. “We’ve got the best bowler in the world coming back into the side, there’s no reason why we can’t win the last two Test matches. “We want to win the next test and we want to improve. We played excellent cricket and we certainly won’t be letting up in Barbados. “Glenn McGrath will certainly come back into the side, and someone will have to make way, I’m not sure who that is going to be.”

The Australians, who whitewashed West Indies 5-0 at home in 2000-1, came into the tour at the end of a long season which included winning the World Cup. Waugh said that one of the reason’s for Tuesday’s early declaration - which left West Indies four sessions to get 407 - was to give his own team a challenge. So far, however, Waugh has been delighted with his team’s response, with lesser lights such as Darren Lehmann and Stuart MacGill taking the opportunity to shine. Lehmann, never fully established in the Test side, hit his maiden century in Port of Spain while MacGill, playing his 21st Test, passed the 100-wicket mark.

“It was pleasing to see some of the guys who are not high profile like Andy Bichel and Darren Lehmann doing well,” said Waugh. “This is something I like about this team. It’s not just about one or two players. It’s about everyone doing something at different times.” Waugh, who did not bat in either innings in Port- of- Spain, said he was hoping to contribute more in Bridgetown. “I will certainly remember this Test because I got no runs, no wickets and no catches,” he said. “I want to make sure I play well in the next Test, I’m looking forward to getting out in the middle.”