Lawson's 7 boosts Windies

ST JOHN’S: Fast bowler Jermaine Lawson fired out Australia here yesterday with a seven-wicket haul as the West Indies enjoyed their finest day of the series on the opening day of the fourth and final cricket Test.

The 21-year-old Lawson followed his hat-trick in the Third Test in Barbados with seven for 78 off 19.1 overs yesterday, as Australia was bowled out for 240.

The West Indies lost Chris Gayle (0) and Daren Ganga (6) cheaply before closing on 47 for two.

Devon Smith was unbeaten on 21, and nightwatchman Vasbert Drakes was 12 not out.

Lawson, greeted by the bounciest pitch of the series, gave the West Indies an early breakthrough after Australian captain Steve Waugh chose to bat on winning the toss.

The pacy Jamaican removed Matthew Hayden (14) at 27 for one as the left-hander miscued a pull to mid-on.

Fellow opener Justin Langer and Martin Love stalled the home team in a second wicket stand of 53 before Lawson hit again just before lunch.

Langer, who survived a chance off Mervyn Dillon when 14, struck six fours in 42 before he slapped a low catch to gully.

Lawson returned after the first interval to claim his third, as Darren Lehmann (7) edged to wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs.

Love, only included in the team after Ricky Ponting’s prolonged sickness ruled him out, compiled a solid 36 before falling to Omari Banks’ off-spin.

The Queensland right-hander, never at ease against Banks, was bowled as he deflected a defensive stroke back onto leg stump to leave Australia in peril at 128 for four.

Waugh and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist added 53 for the fifth wicket to revive the innings.

But Mervyn Dillon started a terminal slide after tea as Australia lost their last six wickets for 59.

The Trinidadian, dropped from the previous Test, claimed both Waugh and Gilchrist.

Waugh hit four fours in 41 before edging for one of Jacobs’ four catches in the innings. The 37-year-old faced 77 balls in two hours.

Gilchrist fell in Dillon’s next over, top-edging a pull to midwicket. The left-hander struck five boundaries in 33 off 65 balls.

Andy Bichel, fresh off a career-best 71 in Barbados, counterattacked in a flashy 34 off 39 balls that was spiced with seven fours.

But once Lawson removed him to a fine catch at cover by substitute Marlon Samuels, the tail was burnt by Lawson’s fire. Brett Lee (9) fended a bouncer off the glove to Jacobs, Stuart MacGill (2) provided a second slip catch to Ramnaresh Sarwan, and Jason Gillespie also gloved to Jacobs.

Lawson’s figures were the best return in 18 Tests at the Antigua Recreation Ground. He beats the previous mark of world record holder Courtney Walsh, who took six for 54 against the same opponents here in 1995.

It was the fourth time a West Indian has taken seven wickets in an innings against Australia and the first time in the Caribbean.

Dillon supported well with two for 53 off 18 overs, while Banks took one for 62 off 20 overs.

 Australia’s own pace ace Glenn McGrath put the West Indies on the back foot second delivery of their reply, as Chris Gayle was bowled middle stump for a duck.

Andy Bichel later struck in his first over as Daren Ganga top-edged a pull for a leg side catch to the wicket-keeper at 30 for two.

But Smith and Drakes survived until the end to give West Indies the slight edge heading into the second day today.