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W Indies have to defy history to deny Australia clean sweep
St Johns, (Antigua), May 12: The West Indies have to defy Test cricket history to prevent Australia from capturing an unprecedented Caribbean series clean sweep in the fourth Test here at the recreation ground.
St Johns, (Antigua), May 12: The West Indies have to defy Test cricket history to prevent Australia from capturing an unprecedented Caribbean series clean sweep in the fourth
Test here at the recreation ground.
Brian Lara's team face the herculean task of scoring 418 runs for an improbable victory or bat out a minimum 203 overs to force a draw against the strongest bowling attack in world cricket. The Australians were bowled out for 417 yesterday, losing nine wickets for 175 after a 242-run opening stand between Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. Both teams scored 240 in the first innings.
When failing light stopped play with five balls left on the third day, the West Indies had made a secure start and were 47 without loss with Devon Smith not out 21 and Chris Gayle on 19 and trailed Australia by 370 runs with two days' play remaining. The West Indies have never endured the indignity of a 4-0 series whitewash in 73 years' cricket in the Caribbean, but they have to create Test history to win here, as no team has scored more than 406 to win a Test in the final innings.
The highest successful run chase in an Antiguan Test was the West Indies' 216 for nine against Pakistan three years ago. The third day was highlighted by Hayden and Langer's fifth double-century opening partnership, passing the four scored by great West Indian opening pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.
Bureau Report
Brian Lara's team face the herculean task of scoring 418 runs for an improbable victory or bat out a minimum 203 overs to force a draw against the strongest bowling attack in world cricket. The Australians were bowled out for 417 yesterday, losing nine wickets for 175 after a 242-run opening stand between Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. Both teams scored 240 in the first innings.
When failing light stopped play with five balls left on the third day, the West Indies had made a secure start and were 47 without loss with Devon Smith not out 21 and Chris Gayle on 19 and trailed Australia by 370 runs with two days' play remaining. The West Indies have never endured the indignity of a 4-0 series whitewash in 73 years' cricket in the Caribbean, but they have to create Test history to win here, as no team has scored more than 406 to win a Test in the final innings.
The highest successful run chase in an Antiguan Test was the West Indies' 216 for nine against Pakistan three years ago. The third day was highlighted by Hayden and Langer's fifth double-century opening partnership, passing the four scored by great West Indian opening pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.
Bureau Report