West Indies’ Jermaine Blackwood, middle, bats in entrance of Australia’s Alex Carey, left, and Marnus Labuschagne on the 4th day of their cricket check in Perth, Australia, on December 3, 2022.
| Picture Credit score: AP
Marnus Labuschagne racked up one other century on Saturday to assist Australia set West Indies an enormous goal of 498 on day 4 of the primary check in Perth, however the hosts nonetheless require seven wickets to safe a win on the final day.
Visiting captain Kraigg Brathwaite ended the day unbeaten on 101 to provide his facet, on 192-3 and trailing by 306 runs on the shut, a combating probability after Australia earlier declared their second innings on 182-2.
West Indies have been bowled out for 283 of their first innings however Australia opted to not implement the follow-on regardless of posting a large 598-4 of their first dig.
A fiery Saturday morning spell by Alzarri Joseph, bowling with the type of aggression that was lacking on day one, had Marnus Labuschagne twisting and weaving early within the proceedings.
Caught at gully off a no-ball on 19, the zestful batsman capitalised on his success and punished the weary fielders in an innings that grew to become ever extra belligerent as a lunchtime declaration loomed.
“I’ve actually had the rub of the inexperienced on many events of late,” Labuschagne instructed reporters.
“It have to be all of the prayers from my mum, my grandma and my household getting all arrange directly.”
5 balls earlier than the break, the 28-year-old grew to become solely the eighth batsman to register a double and single century in the identical check, ending unbeaten on 104 from 110 deliveries.
With quick bowler Pat Cummins out of the assault because of quad soreness, the West Indies openers batted resolutely to information their facet to 84 with out loss at tea.
Debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored 45 earlier than chopping Mitchell Starc on to his stumps, induced to drive by means of an open off-side subject. Shamarh Brooks was subsequent to fall, edging Nathan Lyon (2-54) to slide on 11.
Australia’s bowlers laboured late into the afternoon as Brathwaite labored in direction of his eleventh check ton, which he introduced up with a sweep to deep midwicket, however Lyon struck late to ship Jermaine Blackwood on his manner for twenty-four.
The house facet head into the ultimate day as agency favourites, however the islanders will dare to dream {that a} draw can nonetheless be salvaged on a pitch with out many demons.
“It is not going to be straightforward, however clearly I will go on the market and combat for the West Indies,” Brathwaite mentioned.
The very best profitable check run chase is 418 by the West Indies towards Australia at Antigua in 2003.
