GEORGETOWN, Guyana, 12 April 2003 — Justin Langer and the in-form Ricky Ponting hit centuries against West Indies yesterday as Australia tightened their grip on the first Test. They put on 248 runs for the second wicket as the touring side reached 348 for four at tea on the second day, 111 runs ahead after the hosts had been shot out for 237.
The pair, who had resumed on 120 for one, finally fell to fast bowler Vasbert Drakes during the afternoon. The Barbadian, sidelined from Test cricket for seven years after opting to play abroad, also removed Darren Lehmann as the home side struggled to stay in the game.
Captain Steve Waugh, making a world record 157th Test appearance, was 25 not out at the break with Adam Gilchrist on 14. Drakes struck for the first time with the score on 281 when Ponting got a thick outside edge and was caught at first slip by Marlon Samuels for 117.
Lehmann followed for six as substitute fielder Dave Bernard dived to his right to take a flying catch at point.
Langer was next, his outside edge caught by wicketkeeper Wavell Hinds — standing in for injured Ridley Jacobs — after making 146. He hit 19 fours and two sixes. Langer, who fought his way back into the team after being dropped during the tour to England two years ago, had completed his 14th Test century with a quick single after facing 159 balls. Ponting, rapidly establishing himself as the most formidable No. 3 in the world, completed his 15th Test hundred in the last over before lunch with a lofted on drive for four as Australia added 133 in the first session without any major scares. It was Ponting’s fourth hundred in his last 10 Test innings and followed his match-winning 140 not out in last month’s World Cup final against India. Drakes reached the break with three for 54 off 21 overs.
Australia will go back to the top of the world Test standings ahead of South Africa if they win the four-test series.
Nothing has gone right for their hosts after Carl Hooper withdrew from the squad after being axed as captain while Brian Lara’s vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan missed the game through injury. They were also on the wrong-end of three close lbw decisions in their first innings.
