Aus v WI 2nd Test Review: Australia retains the Frank Worrell Trophy

Australia has now kept the Frank Worrell Trophy for 20 unbroken years. Their bowlers worked their way successfully through the West Indies batting in their pursuit of a victory on day 4, however, were made to work hard by a 100-run partnership between Jason Holder and Denesh Ramdin. Steven Smith had declared the home side’s second innings before play began, leaving the visitors a target of 460 or alternatively a minimum of 180 overs to survive over two days.

Mitchell Marsh took 4 wickets while Nathan Lyon took 3 in the second innings. Peter Siddle took 2 while James Pattinson also contributed with 1 wicket. Josh Hazlewood should have also done so but had his dismissal of Darren Bravo overruled due to a no-ball. This was Australia’s third such offence of the match.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Rajendra Chandrika made a solid start, trying to score wherever possible and seeing off the opening spells of Pattinson and Hazlewood. However, Lyon in his third over seduced Brathwaite into an ill-judged cut at a ball too straight and too full for the shot. The right-hander gave a chance to slip where Smith held it sharply. Darren Bravo began with an intent to frustrate Australia. Chandrika was also obstinate hence, the Australians were unable to go on to further exploit Lyon’s initial break.

Fifteen minutes before lunch, Pattinson thought he had Chandrika LBW, and after Marais Erasmus declined the appeal, the Australians wanted to review the decision but were unable to do so they had taken more than the allotted 15 seconds to decide. This was perhaps a blessing in disguise, as replays showed the batsman had been struck outside the line of the off stump.

Moments before lunch, Josh Hazlewood procured an edge from Bravo, but replays showed that Hazlewood had none of his front foot behind the line and a no-ball was ultimately called. Siddle was more disciplined and after the resumption, he ended Bravo’s occupation after facing a total of 265 balls in the match.

Pattinson followed up by defeating Chandrika, pinned lbw in front of the stumps. The review was taken however it confirmed the ball to be clipping the bails. Marsh made an impact when he found a way through Marlon Samuels, who was beaten on length to edge behind. Before tea, the home side got the wicket o f Jermain Blackwood who made 20. He was bowled by another cracking delivery from Lyon.

At 150/5 began the partnership between the West Indies skipper and the wicket-keeper.  Ramdin and Holder batted positively and punished anything was loose. Both looked intent on attacking Lyon and did so in fine style. Slog sweeps, cut shots and big hits down the ground were attempted successfully. Mitchell Marsh once again gave the Aussies an important breakthrough by removing Ramdin who played well for his 59. Carlos Brathwaite was cleaned up by a beautiful delivery from Lyon that beat his defence.

Holder and Roach batted together for 7.3 overs before the skipper was out caught at mid-off by Hazlewood off Marsh. Holder batted brilliantly for his 68 off 86 that included 7 fours and 2 maximums.  Roach’s 25-balll vigil was ended by Pattinson as he nicked one off the shoulder of the bat to third slip. The series was pocketed by the Aussies as Jerome Taylor went to pull a short one from Marsh but didn’t get hold of it. The top edge flew to Pattinson who dived to take a superb catch at long leg.

Brief Scores:

Australia – 551/3d (U Khwaja 144, S Smith 134*; J Taylor 2/97)

West Indies– 271 (D Bravo 81; N Lyon 4/66, J Pattinson 4/72)

Australia – 179/3d (S Smith 70*; J Holder2/49)

West Indies– 282/10 (J Holder 68; M Marsh 4/61)

Man of the Match– Nathan Lyon (Australia)