Aussie tail of valour frustrates WI

The 10th wicket pair’s mixture of solid defence, resourceful attacking strokes and a measure of good fortune thwarted West Indies’ efforts to wrap up the first innings on a slow Queens Park Oval pitch.

The first part of the morning session had belonged to West Indies, who looked set to polish off the Australians swiftly after they resumed at the overnight 174 for six.

Curtly Ambrose, who did not take a wicket on the opening day despite an outstanding piece of bowling, seized three wickets, including two with consecutive deliveries.

Australia suffered their first setback when Ambrose had Shane Warne (21) caught by SherwinCampbell in the gully off a long hop.

Ambrose struck his double blow by having Greg Blewett lbw, playing slightly across a straight one, and bowling Stuart MacGill with the next delivery. Blewett was Australia’s top scorer with 58.

Australia then wrested the initiative from the West Indies under the influence of Gillespie and McGrath, who beat his previous Test best of 24.

Scoreboard

Australia (1st innings; overnight 174-6): M Slater c Dillon b Collins 23, M Elliott lbw b Collins 44, J Langer c Jacobs b Walsh 5, M Waugh lbw b Walsh 2, S Waugh c Jacobs b Dillon 14, G Blewett lbw b Ambrose 58, I Healy lbw b Walsh 12, S Warne c Campbell b Ambrose 21, J Gillespie not out 28 S Macgill b Ambrose 0, G McGrath c Jacobs b Dillon 39; Extras: (lb19, nb4) 23. Total: (all out in 121.3 overs) 269

Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-51, 3-53, 4-74, 5-118, 6-153,7-186, 8-203, 9-203

Bowling: Walsh 31-9-60-3, Ambrose 27-15-35-3, Collins 23-8-45-2, Dillon 26.3-4-69-2-1, Adams 14-2-41-0.