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Chanderpaul leads West Indies’ attempt to stay afloat

Kingston: Australia claimed the wicket of Runako Morton in the last 10 minutes before lunch after he and Shivnarine Chanderpaul breathed life into the West Indies with contrasting half-centuries in the opening Test on Saturday at Sabina Park.

At the lunch interval of this third day, West Indies, replying to Australia’s first innings total of 431, reached 197 for four with Shivnarine Chanderpaul unbeaten on 59 and Dwayne Bravo not out on zero.

Australia failed to make much headway in the morning period, as Morton and Chanderpaul batted with enterprise to add 128 for the fourth wicket.

The Aussies made batting difficult for the two West Indies batsmen, but Morton, in particular, and Chanderpaul remained steadfast to give the home team hope of staying competitive in the match.

Stern examination

Brett Lee worked up a decent head of steam and gave a stern examination to Morton’s technique with little success.

Lee peppered Morton with a number of short, rising deliveries which the batsman either evaded or took on the body.

Stuart Clark, whose three wickets the previous evening had put the skids on West Indies, opened the bowling from the other end, and induced an edge past second slip from Chanderpaul early in the period.

The Australians continued to bowl with discipline, but eventually Morton reached his 50, when he lofted leg-spin bowler Stuart MacGill for a straight four, shortly before Chanderpaul turned Mitchell Johnson behind square leg for a single to reach his milestone.

However, it was MacGill who had the privilege of making the breakthrough, when Morton attempted a lofted drive and was caught at mid-on for 67 in the penultimate over before the interval.

Clark shines

Stuart Clark has been Australia’s most successful bowler so far with three wickets for 38 runs from 14 overs.

West Indies’ response came after Australia was bowled out for 431 on the second day of the Test. Symonds remained unbeaten on 70. — Agencies

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