Aussies shatter Test win record and Caribbeans

By Malcolm Conn

PERTH, DEC. 3. Steve Waugh's special place in history has been assured after Australia's record-breaking 12th successive Test victory on Sunday but injury will prevent him from leading his country during the next Test in Adelaide, beginning on December 15.

The ruthless Australian captain directed his awesome combination to another innings victory over a shattered West Indies in the second Test at Perth's WACA Ground despite the discomfort of a strained left buttock which will take at least a fortnight to heal completely.

Vice-captain Adam Gilchrist is expected to be ratified as the new skipper despite traditional concerns about the workload a wicketkeeper taking on the dual role as leader.

After the emphatic victory Waugh claimed that with or without him this side would continue its relentless march. ``I think everyone's aware of what we can achieve and we're not going to take our foot off the accelerator. We want to keep improving,'' he said.

``I said in New Zealand it was just the start of something special. You get a feeling amongst the side it is a special team and we can really go places. I think this is still the beginning and we can get better.

``We get so much joy out of playing well and winning that you don't want to lose that feeling. We can keep creating a new World record every game. That will be our motivation.''

The match ended in spectacular fashion on Sunday with Australia's new excitement machine, Brett Lee, claiming three wickets in one over to finish with five in an innings for the third time in just seven Tests.

After Courtney Walsh was leg before wicket to ensure victory by an innings and 27 runs the Australians embraced as one on the field and sang their traditional victory song ``Beneath the Southern Cross.''

Then, just as they had in Brisbane, this history- making team made a point of walking towards the grandstands and applauding the modest but excited crowd of 11,057 who were standing to cheer their heroes.

Significantly it was Australia's first win against the West Indies in Perth from six attempts over 25 years. ``We've had a lot of tough times here and I've been part of losing sides in two and a half days so it's nice to turn it around,'' said Waugh, who hopes to be fit for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

The possibility of losing a captain and batsman of his quality would be a major concern in normal circumstances but such is the superiority of Australia and ineptitude of its opponent that even Waugh's absence will do little to bridge the huge gulf.

It is impossible to believe that this hapless bunch who now turn out for the West Indies come from the same group of Caribbean cricket-loving islands who were represented by the most feared side ever to take a cricket field.

They marched through 1984 to set the record that Waugh and his men have now claimed. He is one of only five players who have been a part of all 12 victories since Australia overran Zimbabwe during a one-off Test in Harare 14 months again. The others are Mark Waugh, Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Michael Slater.

In all 20 players have been used in that time, including Damien Martyn, who topped the batting averages during the three-Test tour of New Zealand early this year in the absence of an injured Ricky Ponting.

Clearly Martyn is favoured to replace Waugh but his prolific West Australian team-mate, Simon Katich, has kept his name in the frame this summer after touring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe last year as Australia's reserve batsman.

The four-day Australian XI match against the West Indies in Hobart, beginning on Saturday, takes on new meaning. Martyn and Katich are both expected to play and may end up batting off against each other in the hope of temporarily filling a vacant Test spot.

It is a great time to be playing for Australia and a great time to introduce young players into a side so confident and committed.

Waugh acknowledged this despite the disappointment of missing another Test with a soft tissue injury. ``Someone else will get a chance to captain Australia and someone else will get a chance to play for Australia,'' he said. ``I'll be away from the side. They'll manage quite well without me. It'll be hard to watch on television I'm sure but I'll keep in contact with the guys. However I don't want to be over there hanging around when someone else has got the job of being captain. I want to give that guy his freedom.''

With all the talk of pace on this traditionally feisty WACA wicket, Stuart MacGill capitalised on the intense pressure created by the fast bowlers around him to claim two vital wickets when it appeared the West Indies would at least make a fight of the match.

First was the prize scalp of Brian Lara, who survived the now inevitable Glenn McGrath onslaught for the first time this series. He had managed 17 when MacGill was brought back into the attack by Waugh. Batsman and bowler had strong memories of Lara's blazing century during the final Test in Antigua early last year. Then MacGill was belted out of the attack and Lara, it appeared, had every intention of doing the same again yesterday.

The plan lasted just two balls. The left-hander aimed an enormous pull at a ball which spun back sharply, putting Lara into a terrible tangle before he was bowled. He now has 21 runs in four Test innings on tour.

Moments before lunch Wavell Hinds, who has been a breath of fresh air with his positive play after returning to the side for this Test, lost his patience, wits and wicket. He aimed what can only be described as a slog at a full ball from MacGill which bowled the left-hander for 41. Hinds trudged off with a churning stomach to an unpalatable meal.

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