AUSTRALIA v WEST INDIES DAY2
The day looked very gloomy at the start and for West Indies things got darker as the morning moved on.
Praise to the security people for their diligence this morning. They were thorough and diligent working through people’s bags many who were anxious to get in to the ground.
Patience is a virtue and I am afraid that for many people this was/is just not the case. Cannot believe that people where becoming agitated when really they were only being held up for a couple of minutes. Besides this was an hour before the game was due to start.
One of the great things about being a Knacker is the chance to meet other brethren at any sport event that you may attend. Spent a pleasant half hour with David Wilson my editor! Naturally we talked sport and sports of all sorts. David’s grandfather played footy with Collingwood and a great aunt Betty Wilson was the first great female cricketer in Australia. Betty Wilson is also the answer to one of my favourite cricket trivia questions. ?
Great to catch up with DJW one of the unsung heroes behind the success of the Knackery!
The morning totally belonged to Smith and Voges and there honestly was very little to talk about. If we had been dominant in previous innings against WI this one took the cake. There was only one chance in slips, should have been taken. This was dominance of a lesser mortal at its best.
I’m sorry but there was nothing good one could say about the opposition. Personally I can’t wait to go to New Zealand just to see how good or not this Australian side is. Pity the crowd that goes to the SCG next week.
Smith applies the mercy rule and the home side declare at 3/531 with Smith 134 and Voges 106. They treated the attack with utter contempt after lunch.
If there is an analogy it would be like how Hawthorn treated West Coast in the AFL Grand Final in October.
In bright sunshine the West Indies openers came out to bat and started very impressively against Hazlewood and Pattinson. If they can hang around for a while their confidence will grow and we could see some impressive batting. They are looking very sound are Messrs Brathwaite and Chandrika.
Lyon comes on after seven overs. There was nothing in the pitch for the fast men.
Despite the promising start and with the score on 31 Kraigg Brathwaite (17) prods at Lyon and Burns accepts the catch at short leg. Burns is fast becoming very adept in the hardest of positions to field in cricket.
The weather turned perfect late in the afternoon and the West Indies where showing determination in their batting. Bravo is well known and Chandrika is slowly building a reputation as an opener.
How many times have I written that this summer! Chandrika (25) shoulders arms to Pattinson and is out despite appealing against the decision. 2/50. Bravo and Samuels together. Can they produce their best form for their team?
Smith is attacking with every opportunity and using his bowlers in short bursts.
Well it aint gunna happen! Pattinson gets Samuels lbw for nought. West Indies 3/50. Blackwood, after a pair in Hobart, nearly goes first ball to a fiery Pattinson.
Whatever he has compromised with his action Pattinson still has the fire in the belly to beat the batsman.
The crowd has been posted at 40,516. A marvellous response as usual from the people of Melbourne despite the position of the game. Melburnians would turn up for a tiddly winks game at the “G”.
It has been slow and steady for the Windies as they try to consolidate. Not for long as Burns takes a fine diving catch off Siddle to dismiss Blackwood (18). DRS – and he is given NOT OUT! Probably the highlight of the day – if not the match. Something to write about as everyone around me thought it was a clean take by Joe Burns.
Blackwood clouts Lyon for a lovely six in the next over but then goes on his way. Hits one straight back to Lyon on 28 and he is gone. West Indies 4/82. He should have made more of his good luck.
There is certainly some indecisive in the batsmen’s minds. Settle down boys after being given a second dig.
Siddle’s bad luck changes as Burns takes another fine catch to dismiss Ramdin for nought. 5/83 and next ball Holder is bowled by a beauty. 6/83 and Sidds is on a hat trick. Not today.
It finishes another horrible day for West Indies and West Indies cricket. Australia loses no wickets and adds 206 runs and while West Indies got off to a steady start they lost 6 wickets for 60 runs after tea. At stumps West Indies 6/91.
Once again complete dominance from the home team and it will take some fine batting for the game to go into a fourth day.
About Bob Utber
At 84 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
G’day Citrus,
And I agree with everything you convey there; though you’ve probably (kindly) overstated my Almanac role- one small cog in a much larger machine.
There remains a terrible absence of contest throughout this series.
It was a real pleasure to meet you. Thanks for making the effort. I imagine this sort of thing happening again.
Cheers DJW
Extremely envious of your travels CB, while really enjoying your writing at the same time.
Always good to chat to DJW.
Totally clean catch by Burns, but the second it went to review myself and those around me knew it would be given not out. Time to get rid of the DRS for low catches.