1st Test: Australia declare on 598/4; Smith, Labuschagne score double-centuries
Double-centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith powered Australia past 500 on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against West Indies in Perth. The duo shared a 251-run stand, while Travis Head fell one short of his century. Australia declared on 598/4 (152.4). West Indies responded well in the final session, finishing on 74/0. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was impressive in his maiden Test innings.
Smith races to his fourth double-ton
Smith, who smashed his 29th Test century, has converted the same into a double-ton. The Australian vice-captain accomplished the milestone on Day 2. Notably, Smith had returned unbeaten on 59 on Day 1. He has now registered his fourth double-ton in the format. Smith returned unbeaten on 200 off 311 balls. He smashed a total of 16 fours.
Smith equals these legends
Smith has equaled legends Greg Chappell and Michael Clarke in terms of double-tons (4 each). Elsewhere, he has also matched Sunil Gavaskar, Hashim Amla, Gordon Greenidge, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Yousuf, Brendon McCullum Zaheer Abbas, and L Hutton in this regard.
Second Test double-ton for Labuschagne
Labuschagne clocked his second Test double-century on Day 2. He tackled the Caribbean bowlers with class and brought up his double ton off 348 deliveries. He eventually fell to Kraigg Brathwaite after scoring a 350-ball 204 (4s: 20, 6: 1). Labuschagne's maiden double-ton in the format was recorded against New Zealand in January 2020 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (215 off 363 balls).
Labuschagne breaks this record of Smith
During his knock, Labuschagne smashed Smith's record of most 50-plus scores by an Aussie after 29 Tests. While Labuschagne breached the 50-run mark for the 22nd time, Smith had 20 fifty-plus scores after 29 Tests.
Head falls for 99, misses his ton
Australian batter Travis Head missed out on a century. Head was dismissed for 99 by Kraigg Brathwaite. He consumed just 95 balls, striking at 104.21. Head came into the crease when Australia lost double-centurion Labuschagne (204) as the score read 402/3. Head forged a solid 196-run stand at a brisk pace alongside Smith for the 4th wicket. It was the former's ninth Test fifty.
Debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul dominates Australians
While Australia compiled a mammoth total, the West Indies openers did not let the Aussies dominate. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who is playing his maiden Test, negotiated the Australian bowlers with his counter-attack. He returned unbeaten on 47 off 73 balls (6 fours, 1 six). Meanwhile, skipper Brathwaite remained watchful. He scored just one boundary in his 79-ball 18.
Brathwaite was the only wicket-taker (Day 2)
It is to note that Brathwaite was the only wicket-taker of the day. He dismissed both Labuschagne and Head. The WI skipper finished with figures of 2/65 in 12.4 overs. Meanwhile, Jayden Seales and Kyle Mayers took one wicket each.
