BRIDGETOWN, 3 May 2003 — Australia captain Steve Waugh became the second highest-scorer in Test history as his side pressed relentlessly on in their first innings against West Indies in the third Test yesterday.
Waugh, nearing his 30th Test century, made an unbeaten 93 and Adam Gilchrist hit 65 as Australia reached 527 for five at tea on the second day after West Indies captain Brian Lara won the toss and surprisingly sent them into bat on Thursday. Waugh, who did not bat in the second Test in Port of Spain where he declared in both innings, overtook Indian Sunil Gavaskar’s total of 10,122 runs as he reached 60 in a typically gritty innings.
Andy Bichel was not out for 45 at the other end in an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 83. Waugh hit only two fours and required 170 minutes and 129 deliveries to reach his half-century, which he completed with a two helped by a misfield from Ramnaresh Sarwan.
The 37-year-old, who in the first Test made a world record 157th appearance, made the most of his luck after being dropped early in the day on 11 when Sarwan at mid-off failed to take a difficult chance off a low Vasbert Drakes delivery. Waugh also escaped when he lofted a high ball to deep mid-wicket and Sarwan, after running about 40 meters, could not hold it. He ran for three to reach 60 and pass Gavaskar’s total.
Waugh escaped again on 84 when he edged Lawson to Baugh but the Jamaican wicketkeeper was slow to react and could not hold the ball. Australia resumed on 320 for three and made steady progress in the morning after Darren Lehmann was out for 96 in the second over of the day. Lehmann, who made his maiden Test century in Port of Spain, was hit in the pad as he tried to pull Drakes’ delivery, which stayed down. English umpire David Shepherd raised the finger in what appeared a harsh decision.
Waugh and Gilchrist kept the total moving along, with Gilchrist hitting a four and two sixes in successive balls off debutant fast bowler Tino Best before lunch.
Gilchrist began by driving through square leg for four, hit the next ball over midwicket for a six and dispatched the next delivery in the same direction, this time even further.
Gilchrist dished out more harsh treatment to Omari Banks shortly afterwards, hitting another six over extra cover.
He enjoyed a let-off shortly after lunch when he was left struggling at the bowler’s end trying for a quick single but Devon Smith threw to the other end instead.
Gilchrist went shortly afterwards as he attempted another big hit. After driving Banks for four, he tried to hit the next delivery for six but got a top-edge and was caught at deep mid-wicket by Smith.
Lara on Thursday justified his surprising decision to send Australia to bat, saying that his team perform better when they bat second. “The answer’s simple,” Lara told reporters after Australia had reached 320 for three by the close of the first day on an excellent batting pitch.
“I need my batsmen to bat in the fourth innings. We bat better when we know exactly what we have to do,” he said, adding that he believed the pitch would hold up.
Lara’s decision surprised Australia vice-captain Ricky Ponting, who made 113 as he hit a century for the third Test match running. “We were surprised to get sent in and we have capitalized,” he said. “There’s no grass on it at all, it’s a bit like a one-day pitch.”
Meanwhile, Australia batsman Damien Martyn will miss a one-day series against West Indies this month because of complications following a broken finger. The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said in a statement: “Whilst the fracture has healed, joint stiffness will prevent him from batting for another four weeks.”
Martyn broke the finger during the World Cup in South Africa but still played in the final. He pulled out of the West Indian Test series but was expected back for the one-dayers. “Missing the Test series in the West Indies was probably the biggest blow, but as time went by it became apparent that things weren’t going to be entirely right for the one-dayers either,” Martyn said.
“It’s important that I allow the treatment to take its course and get things right for good.” Michael Clarke, already on tour with the team, will replace Martyn for the seven-match series starting May 17.
