Sport - Cricket

Aussies turn the screws on West Indies

BRIDGETOWN: Australia increased its lead to 474 runs on Sunday before declaring its second innings in the third and final cricket Test against the West Indies.

Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn took two early wickets, but Australia piled on the runs and remained in control at lunch on day four at the Kensington Oval. Australia, 330 for three overnight, went to the break on 439 for five before the declaration was announced.

Clarke was not out on 48 and Haddin not out on 45.

Haddin joined Clarke, after Australia lost the wickets of Simon Katich and Andrew Symonds to Benn inside the first hour to leave the visitor on 360 for five. Australia leads the three-Test series 1-0, after it won the first Test at the Sabina Park in Kingston by 95 runs. The second Test in Antigua was drawn and as a result, the Aussies have already retained the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.

Australia — 1st innings: 251.

West Indies — 1st innings: 216.

Australia — 2nd innings: P. Jaques c Ramdin b Edwards 108, S. Katich c (sub) Sammy b Benn 157, R. Ponting c (sub) Morton b Powell 39, M. Hussey c Bravo b Benn 18, M. Clarke (not out) 48, A. Symonds c Chanderpaul b Benn 2, B. Haddin (not out) 45, Extras (b-5, lb-2, w-5, nb-5, penalty-5): 22; Total (for five wkts. decl. in 145 overs): 439.

Fall of wickets: 1-223, 2-299, 3-330, 4-358, 5-360.

West Indies bowling: Powell 16-6-40-1, Edwards 14-3-52-1, Taylor 22-3-64-0, Gayle 16-3-45-0, Benn 47-7-154-3, Bravo 23-4-63-0, Marshall 2-2-0-0, Sarwan 5-0-9-0. — Agencies

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu