Mitchell Starc claimed 4-28 to trigger a West Indies collapse and spur Australia to a nine-wicket victory just before close on the third day of the first Test at Windsor Park on Friday. The West Indies, resuming on 25-2 after trailing on first innings by 170, were bowled out for 216 late in the final session. Marlon Samuels top-scored with 74 while Shane Dowrich hit a defiant 70 but the hosts lost last seven wickets for 35 runs.
left-armer Starc was well supported by fellow seamers Josh Hazlewood (2-17) and Mitchell Johnson (2-38), while off-spinner Nathan lyon chipped in with 2-67. Australia raced to victory target of 47 off just five overs, losing one wicket. Opener David Warner smacked three fours and two sixes in 28 off 20 balls to rush his team to victory.
“It was a tough fight today. I thought the West Indies fought exceptionally hard,” Australian captain Michael Clarke said after play. “Credit to our bowlers the way they found a way to still take wickets today on a wicket that was really slow and hard work certainly for the fast bowlers.” Earlier, Australia sensed an early finish when Darren Bravo (5) drove Hazlewood to mid-off to leave the hosts reeling at 37-3.
But for the next three and a half hours, the West Indies fought their way back into the match with Marlon Samuels (74) and Shane Dowrich (70) sharing a fourth wicket stand of 144. The 34-year-old Samuels lashed seven fours and a six while fellow right-hander Dowrich, on debut, hit five fours and a six.
But once Hazlewood prized out Dowrich, the rest of the Caribbean batsmen were swiftly blown away. Jermaine Blackwood was stumped as he charged down to lyon and Samuels followed at the same score, top-edging a hook off Johnson to fine leg. lyon bowled Denesh Ramdin off the inside edge, drawing level with Hugh Trumble as Australia’s most prolific Test off-spinner, before Starc wrapped up the tail.
Brief Score
West Indies: 148 & 216 (Samuels 74, Dowrich 70; Starc 4/28) lose to Australia: 318 & 47/1 by 9 wickets.