Voges, Marsh drive Australia towards huge total
It was the most runs scored by Australia on an opening day of a Test in 85 years against the West Indies. “Let us have an Ashes Test here, let us have Tests against South Africa and India here and then we can start making some judgements and comparisons about other venues around Australia”, he added.
Australia beat the Black Caps in the day-night test, also known as the pink ball test because of the ball’s colour, by three wickets to win the three test series two-nil.
However, Voges and Marsh, who both began cautiously, exploited an increasingly ragged West Indies attack as the day wore on.
Australia refuse to read too much into West Indies’ tour match loss ahead of the first Test in Hobart starting Thursday. The batsmen were a major letdown for West Indies as they were bowled out for 243 and 210 by a rookie side. He’s got a lot of aggression he’s not afraid to show, which I think is a great attribute. “I know Jerome Taylor likes to bowl it full because he likes to swing the ball. Hopefully, he can have a successful comeback into the Australian team”.
Selectors have turned to James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile to replenish their diminishing fast bowling ranks while also mulling the pressing need to give Adelaide Test man-of-the-match Josh Hazlewood some time off to refresh.
“We’re really happy with this crowd and it has exceeded expectations, particularly as it was a Thursday”, a CA spokesman said, amid conjecture about the future of tests in Hobart.
The dwindling fortunes of West Indies cricket have been very well documented in the recent years.
Marsh matched him with his own third test century deep into the final session, pulling the 150th delivery he had faced through square leg for his ninth four to reach the milestone for the first time on home soil.
Those who played were generally supportive of experimenting with day/night Test Matches, but were strongly of the view that the ball still requires improvement.
“It is hard when they have a good partnership to keep your head up”, spinner Jomel Warrican told reporters after play.
West Indies spearhead fast bowler Jerome Taylor had a bad day and bolter Shannon Gabriel broke down injured. In this year’s Caribbean series, he scored just 98 runs in two Tests – 62 of them in one innings.
“Since I joined the team it took me a little while to get them to buy into my concept because they are accustomed to certain things and of course it would not change overnight”, said Ambrose, who took up his consultancy role in February 2014.
A day after the West Australian predicted he was poised for a career-defining performance, he produced his maiden century in Australia and helped fellow Warrior Adam Voges score his own career-high ton against the shattered West Indies.