Fiery Starc demolishes West Indies top order
Cricket
Starc claimed three scalps as West Indies top order failed to adjust to the extra bounce again
West Indies 64 for 5 (Hodge 3*, Starc 3-11) vs Australia
(Web Desk) – Mitchell Starc took his 350th Test wicket as Australia's quicks took control of the opening session at the Gabba with West Indies losing five wickets after losing the toss and electing to bat on a good batting pitch.
Starc claimed three scalps while Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins picked up one apiece as West Indies top order failed to adjust to the extra bounce again with five of the top six all nicking deliveries they possibly could have left.
Kraigg Brathwaite was the first to fall, lured into a half-hearted drive by Hazlewood who found the edge with a ball that just swung away a touch.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie then steadied with both players looking in good touch. Chanderpaul unfurled two cut shots and a sweet on-drive while McKenzie launched Nathan Lyon for six over long-on and thrashed Cummins through cover. But his aggression brought about his downfall as he nicked to slip trying to cut Cummins off the front foot.
Starc returned to bag three in quick succession before the break. Chanderpaul needlessly tried to defend a ball well wide of his off stump and some extra bounce found the outside edge with Steven Smith pouching the catch at second slip.
Alick Athanaze then nicked a full wide ball trying to drive to hand Starc his 350th Test wicket, becoming the fifth Australian to reach that milestone. Justin Greaves nicked the last ball before the break with Starc getting a good length delivery to angle across and catch the edge. It leaves Starc just four wickets behind Dennis Lillee on Australia's all-time list.
It was a disappointing session for West Indies after opting to bat first with Guyana off-spinning all-rounder Kevin Sinclair named to make his Test debut in place of Gudakesh Motie. Sinclair received his debut Test cap before play from former West Indies and Guyana all-rounder Carl Hooper. Sinclair has played seven ODIs and six T20Is. He is the fourth debutant for the West Indies in the two-Test series but the only change from the XI that lost in Adelaide.
Australia stuck with their winning formula despite some COVID-19 infections running through the camp. All-rounder Cameron Green and coach Andrew McDonald both tested positive yesterday after Travis Head had tested positive earlier the week. Head has since tested negative. Green had to stand away from his teammates during the anthems and while they celebrated the wickets, but fielded at gully throughout the first session. Khawaja was also declared fit to play having recovered from a blow to the head late in the Adelaide Test and took two good catches at first slip. – Courtesy ESPNcricinfo
