Miller helps Aussie total past 300 mark

ST JOHN'S (ANTIGUA), APRIL 4: Tailender Colin Miller lashed 43 to boost Australia to a highly respectable first innings total of 303 on t...

ST JOHN’S (ANTIGUA), APRIL 4: Tailender Colin Miller lashed 43 to boost Australia to a highly respectable first innings total of 303 on the second morning of the fourth and final Test against West Indies on Sunday.

Batting at No.10, the versatile bowler smashed two square sixes off toiling paceman Curtly Ambrose as he added 53 for the ninth wicket with his admiring captain Steve Waugh.

Waugh played the anchor role as Miller went on the attack and finished on 72 not out Australia’s top scorer once again.

In spite of Miller’s contempt for Ambrose’s efforts, the West Indian took four wickets in the session to finish with a haul of five for 94. Australia resumed at 221 for five but Miller was the only man to stay with Waugh and defy Ambrose.

Ian Healy was caught by Carl Hooper off Ambrose for six, Adam Dale went the same way for one, Stuart MacGill was caught by Dave Joseph off Ambrose for four, then last man Glenn McGrath became the final victim of the same bowler when he was caught behind forfive.

Spinner Jimmy Adams was introduced to remove Miller but by the time he obliged Australia had taken their tally to a 295 for nine.

Scoreboard

Australia (first innings, overnight 221-5): Michael Slater c Joseph b Perry 33, Greg Blewett c Jacobs b Collymore 32, Justin Langer run out 51, Mark Waugh c Hooper b Walsh 11, Steve Waugh not out 72, Ricky Ponting lbw Ambrose 21, Ian Healy c Hooper b Ambrose 6, Adam Dale c Hooper b Ambrose 1, Stuart MacGill c Joseph b Ambrose 4, Colin Miller c Joseph b Adams 43, Glen McGrath c Jacobs b Ambrose 5; Extras (lb5, nb19): 24. Total (all out in 111.5 overs): 303

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Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-76, 3-96, 4-155, 5-211, 6-226, 7-232, 8-242, 9-295Bowling: Ambrose 29.5-6-94-5, Walsh 26-1-67-1, Collymore 25-6-49-1, Perry 15-5-36-1, Adams 6-1-18-1, Hooper 10-1-34-0.