Australia defeat West Indies by 177 runs, seal series

Australia beat the West Indies by 177 runs in the second Test to win the series and retain the Frank Worrell Trophy in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The tourists were 146 for four at tea and despite a spirited 100-run stand for the sixth wicket between skipper Jason Holder and former captain Denesh Ramdin they quickly lost their remaining four wickets to crash to defeat 1.3 overs before the scheduled close.

Smith declared Australia’s second innings closed at 179-3 before the start of play on day four but it was slow going, with only opener Kraigg Brathwaite falling for 31 in the first session.

Lehmann said Australia were still weighing up selection options ahead of the final Test starting Sunday in Sydney, with bowler Peter Siddle notably carrying an ankle injury.

“I’m obviously proud of the way the guys showed some fight in this game”.

“When he is in a good rhythm, like he was today, he is as good as any bowler around the country”, Smith said.

Guyana’s Rajendra Chandrika scored 37 for the West Indies on day four of the Second Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday. Leaving aside Smith’s leg spin, the last time Australia fielded two specialist spinners at the SCG was nearly 10 years back in 2006 when Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill bowled together against South Africa.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t put up a better fight but still credit to the way the guys played, especially Darren Bravo in the first innings and Ramdin in the second”. “I think they improved a lot from the Test”, he said. Lehmann insisted that no players would be rested, with Josh Hazlewood expected to play unless there are any physical reasons that he would be unable to get through the five days of a Test.

Hazlewood bowled 41 overs across nine spells in the match without taking a wicket.

If we want to be serious about dominating the subcontinent, we have to get serious about spin bowling and batting against it. Don’t want to give India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan any assistance while touring Australia?

David Warner took 15 runs off Roach’s opening over on Boxing Day, prompting Holder to drag him. He could have bowled if he needed to, but in the end I thought [it was] best if he didn’t.

“We can’t afford to be giving away a run and a free hit, not just lose a wicket”.

“If he’s fit, he’ll play”, Lehmann said of Hazlewood.

Echoing similar views, cricket commentator Malcolm Knox suggested that the Windies should play more matches against Australia as it would help them to become much better Test side.

Even though the bowlers lacked penetration, Smith was otherwise happy with Australia’s effort in the field.