Australia v West Indies: Follow all the latest news from day 4 of the Perth Test
With two reviews down, Kraigg Brathwaite digging in and a frustrated Cam Green lashing out, does Australia need to risk Pat Cummins? Re-live all the day four action.
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Australia faces a massive call on whether to risk bowling Pat Cummins in pursuit of victory on Sunday, with Steve Smith and Scott Boland in line for major promotions in the next Test.
Cummins’ immediate playing future is in doubt due to a minor quad complaint, but coach Andrew McDonald confirmed Australia may have no choice but to throw the injured skipper the second new ball after West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite (101 not out) dug in with a gutsy unbeaten century to leave seven wickets still to get on the final day in Perth.
Even if Cummins is required for a desperate second new ball cameo on Sunday, Australia will be strongly tempted to keep the skipper in cotton wool for the second Test against the West Indies starting on Thursday, opening the door for Smith to potentially captain a second successive Adelaide Test and MCG magic man Boland to make a spectacular early return to the attack.
After undergoing an MRI scan on Friday night, Cummins returned to the field in Perth midway through the final session on day four and a decision will be made on Sunday morning to determine whether Australia will roll the dice out of desperation and use him to try and inspire a Windies’ collapse.
“Pat is going alright. He’s suffered a minor quad complaint,” said McDonald on Fox Cricket, with Australia protecting a 306-run lead with 90 overs to play and the Windies 3-192.
“He will probably (be available to bowl) sometime tomorrow morning. But we will potentially try and line that up with the second new ball depending on how we’re going.
“We’re managing and respecting the fact he has a quad complaint. It’s only a minor niggle. We think we can manage it. Clearly his bowling would be valuable out there so we’re going to get him out there and then assess him at the end of today.
“Clearly there’s a long summer ahead but this game is most important.”
Nathan Lyon (2-54) took his second wicket in the shadows of stumps in a major breakthrough, but Australia’s increasing desperation battling a man down on an uncompromising wicket was outlined by the team already burning two of their three DRS reviews and youngster Cameron Green showing rare anger in the field.
Australia has failed in recent last day victory bids in Sydney last January in the Ashes, and Brisbane and Sydney the previous summer against India, with pressure on Lyon and the depleted bowlers to drive the path home on day five in Perth.
“Day fives is just about sticking to the process,” said Marnus Labuschagne.
“Nathan will hold up the other end and we’ll create seven more opportunities, that I’m pretty sure of. Then it’s up to the fielding group to take those opportunities.”
Brathwaite had a lucky break on 67 when a Josh Hazlewood ball struck his bail but did not dislodge it, declaring he was now determined to lead the Windies to a famous save in Perth.
“For us it was all about fighting. We believe. It’s as simple as that,” said Brathwaite.
Even if the most minor of strains for Cummins was shown, McDonald indicated Australia would have to consider resting their spearhead in Adelaide given the magnitude of what’s coming up against South Africa later this summer, and beyond to the mega tours of India and England next year.
“It’s a short three-day turnaround to the next Test and that’s clearly in our decision making as well … so ideally, if Pat doesn’t have to bowl in this Test match that’s great but at the moment the West Indies are playing really well so we’ll look forward to a decision early tomorrow,” McDonald said.
Boland is next cab off the rank for Australia and would have a chance to improve on his incredible 9.55 bowling average with the pink ball in Adelaide after his memorable first three Tests as a mature-aged debutant during last summer’s Ashes in Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart.
Queenslanders Mark Steketee and Michael Neser may also be vying for inclusion in the squad for Adelaide, with the fast bowler who did the damage in last summer’s pink ball Test Jhye Richardson still nursing a heel complaint.
Smith last captained Australia when Cummins was forced out of last summer’s Adelaide Test due to Covid protocols and his elevation to take the reins while the fast bowler was off the field on Saturday was confirmation he is still key to the Test team’s leadership despite
Hazlewood being preferred to deputise as skipper in the recent one-dayer against England.
Cummins decided to declare Australia’s second innings at 2-182 at the lunch break on day four and set the Windies an improbable 498 to win, after Marnus Labuschagne had just smashed two boundaries in the last over to reach 104 not out off 110 balls – to go with his double hundred from the first innings.
David Warner played a solid innings for 48, while Smith finished 20 not out to be undefeated across both innings in front of a tiny day four crowd of just 7864.
But without Cummins in the attack, the West Indies again aimed up with the bat before Mitchell Starc finally made the key breakthrough of removing impressive debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 45.
Starc has now joined Craig McDermott on 291 Test wickets, with the wicket coming only an over the bowler had dropped Chanderpaul off the bowling of a frustrated Green – who showed perhaps the first outward emotion of his career when he slammed his hand into the ground in fury.
Lyon snared Shamarh Brooks thanks to a sharp Smith catch at slip, before the spinner unsuccessfully reviewed a caught chance and Josh Hazlewood had an lbw overturned by DRS before another one was wasted off Green for a chance down leg-side that took the thigh pad not the glove.
RE-LIVE ALL THE DAY 4 ACTION AS IT HAPPENED
CAPTAIN’S EPIC KNOCK BEFORE LYON STRIKE
Starring down a record run chase in Perth, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has compiled a knock for the ages.
The skipper cracked his 11th - and one of his most important - centuries to defy Australia and potentially save the Test match.
And didn’t the Fox Sports commentators love it!
Ian Smith: “There have been few less warranted than that century. That is just one of the most amazing performances.”
Mark Waugh: “It’s a great innings, he’s been out there nearly all Test match and to make a hundred in the second innings to maybe save the game, that’s the best innings he’s played in his career by a long way.”
Kerry O’Keeffe: “He had to be the man. he walked out naught not out, he had to get a hundred, he is the man. Kraigg Brathwaite, what a dig for your country.”
However, the joy was shortlived with Nathan Lyon striking next ball in the shadows of day four.
Blackwood edges off his pad to short leg and Marnus Labuschagne takes a wonderful catch - he’s made that position his own.
LYON ROARS: AUSSIES MAKING LATE CHARGE
Nathan Lyon toiled without luck on day four but his persistences is paying dividends, removing Shamarh Brooks thanks to a sharp catch from Steve Smith at first slip.
Lyon thought he had a chance at a hat-trick ball but a big shout was turned down. DRS confirms the umpire made the correct decision. Things are starting to happen for the Aussies.
Lyon is just one wicket away from equalling Ravi Ashwin on 442 Test wickets.
BIG SHOUT! Josh Hazlewood traps new man Blackwood on the crease and he’s given him!
Looks very high ... it’s missing by a mile. The Aussies waste a review there.
Most Test wickets by spinners:
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 3, 2022
800 - Muthiah Muralitharan
708 - Shane Warne
619 - Anil Kumble
442 - R Ashwin
441* - Nathan Lyon#AUSvWI
CUMMINS EXPECTED TO BOWL THIS INNINGS
Australian coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed Pat Cummins is expected to bowl this innings.
“Pat’s going alright, he’s suffered a minor quad complaint but he should be out (in the field) in the next couple of overs. Clearly he has to wait his time (to bowl again),” he told Fox Cricket.
Cummins will be able to bowl late in the first session of day five, with rules stating injured players must be back on the field for the amount of time they were off it before being available to bat or bowl.
“We will try and line Pat up with the second new ball depending on how we are going tomorrow. We (are) managing and respecting the fact he has a quad complaint. His bowling would be valuable at this stage but we’ll reassess tomorrow,” McDonald added.
“With such a short turnaround to Adelaide (second Test) it would be ideal if Pat didn’t have to bowl in this Test but at the moment the West Indies are playing really well.”
WICKET: STARC REDEEMS HIMSELF BY REMOVING CHANDERPAUL
Now that is how you bounce back from a dropped catch.
Only moments after giving Tagenarine Chanderpaul a life, Mitch Starc takes it right back, knocking his stumps all over Perth Stadium.
For one of the few times in his innings, Chanderpaul played all around that one and the cross bat effort is his undoing.
Starc gives the Aussies exactly what they needed – a boost heading into the last 90 minutes.
The lead is 379 and both sides have a lot of work to do.
DROPPED! 100 PARTNERSHIP UP FOR WINDIES
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kraigg Brathwaite have become just the fifth West Indies opening pair to notch a 100 partnership on Australian soil.
And to make matters worse for the Aussies, Mitch Starc puts down a tough chance after Cam Green sets Chanderpaul up perfectly.
He got the left hander playing across the line on a short ball and drew the top edge.
It was a tough chance for Starc, who had to make up ground and he couldn’t quite get there.
So close for the Aussies.
STATE OF PLAY: WEST INDIES LAUNCH FIGHTBACK
West Indies openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (27*) and Kraigg Brathwaite (39*) are launching a gutsy counter-attack in Perth - and Pat Cummins’ absence from the Australia bowling attack is helping their cause.
Australia’s reliance on their captain is being exposed by the tourists’ opening duo, with the home side’s bowling unit failing to crack the Windies wall.
While Josh Hazlewood is looking the most likely, pressure is mounting on Nathan Lyon to stand up in place of his inspirational skipper.
But credit must go to Chanderpaul and Brathwaite who are resisting everything Australia has thrown at them.
Steve Smith is so desperate he’s tossed the ball to Marnus Labuschagne who is bowling - wait for it - medium pacers!
Fox Sports commentator Isa Guha praised the duo: “These two have formed a nice partnership in their short time together: it’s been disciplined, it’s been courageous at times, and now they’re scoring runs.”
Australian legend Michael Hussey believes the pair has demoralised the home side.
“This has been fantastic from the West Indies pair,” Hussey said in the Fox Sports comms box. “I think the Australians would have been cock-a-hoop at lunch time after declaring. They would have been thinking ‘let’s come out and really blast them away here, get a couple of early ones and put them under pressure’ but this opening pair, they’re made of serious stuff.”
Labuschagne bowling medium pace. He's done it before in FC cricket mind you. But these last few days have seen Test cricket route through the multiverse of madness to make a return #AUSvWI
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) December 3, 2022
RETURN OF CULT HERO ON CARDS
Pat Cummins’ quad injury could open the door for a special return in the Adelaide Pink Ball Test.
Scott Boland earned instant cult status when he took 6-7 at the MCG during the Ashes summer last year.
In similar circumstances, Boland replaced an injured Josh Hazlewood in the Boxing Day Test.
Boland is touring with the current squad and has been spotted in and around the team in Perth.
Hey remember when an Aussie fast bowler was injured and couldn’t play and some bloke took 6-7 at the MCG? #AUSvWI
— Boosted Keating (@D_Keating) December 3, 2022
CUMMINS BLOW: BIG NEWS OUT OF PERTH
Steve Smith will captain Australia in the second session on day four, with Pat Cummins off the field with right-sided quadriceps soreness.
It’s understood Cummins had an MRI on Friday night and although it’s a mild case of soreness, he will continue to be monitored and may not bowl in the second innings of the first Test unless required.
Smith will take the reins as skipper and could be in line to captain his second successive Adelaide Test next week if Cummins can’t get up for the second Test against the Windies starting on Thursday.
CA said Cummins will be assessed on an ongoing basis through the innings.
“Pat Cummins is experiencing some mild right sided quadricep soreness,” CA said in a statement. “He will continue to be monitored by team medical staff and his availability to bowl in the second innings will be assessed on an ongoing basis.” - Ben Horne in Perth
BREAKING: @FoxCricket reporting Pat Cummins has thigh strain and will be assessed during innings but won't be bowling to start off at least. Had an MRI last night @NewsCorpCricket
— Ben Horne (@BenHorne8) December 3, 2022
DECLARATION: AUSSIES LEARN THEIR LESSON
The heavy rollers are out meaning Australia has declared, setting West Indies 498 for victory.
It’s a good call from the Aussies who have come under fire for batting too long in the past, most recently blowing a Test victory at the SCG in their series loss to India in 2021.
STATE OF PLAY: LABUSCHAGNE EATS TON FOR LUNCH
Marnus Labuschagne (104*) loves scoring runs in Australia!
The batting maestro notches twin centuries in Perth, reaching the milestone off just 109 balls.
Australia’s number three hit 13 fours and a six to reach his ton in the last over before lunch, adding to his 204 in the first innings.
Labuschagne is just the eighth batsman to hit a double century and century in a single match.
But it wasn’t an innings without controversy with Labuschagne caught off a no-ball early on day four.
The incident only adds to the narrative that Australia’s no.3 is the luckiest batsman in international cricket.
A modest Labuschagne was under no illusions that he got away with one against Alzarri Joseph.
“Obviously a bit of luck with that (no-ball) bouncer,” Labuschagne said at the lunch break. “He (Alzarri Joseph) was bowling quite fast there and I got away with one there but it’s always nice (scoring a century) so I’m very proud.”
Labuschagne said his battle with Joseph “got the beans running”.
“I played some rogue shots after that (bouncer barrage) but tried to compose myself and get the heartrate down . It was a really good spell, I think he was hitting 145hm/h.”
.@marnus3cricket 💯
— Queensland Cricket (@qldcricket) December 3, 2022
Just the 8th test cricketer in history to score a double century and century in the same match.#AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/YbBXoGkILs
WARNER FALLS AS LABUSCHAGNE REACHES 50
Finally the West Indies have struck on day four but they had to wait until the first over after the drinks break to do it.
David Warner is the man to go, falling to off-spinner Roston Chase.
Warner tried to defend a well flighted delivery but got a little bit too much of it. The ball squirted to the right of short leg who was able to hold on for a smart catch.
The Aussies know they more than likely have enough runs to ice the match now.
The big question will be how long they want to give their bowlers to rest.
Expect Smith and Labuschagne, who has just reached 50, to up the scoring rate from now.
NO-BALL DRAMA HITS WINDIES AS LABUSCHAGNE SURVIVES
Things have gone from bad to worse for the West Indies, who have been robbed of a wicket after a no-ball drama.
Fresh off being hit for a massive six, Joseph responded with a short ball which left Labuschagne and clipped the edge of his bat.
The ball then came off his helmet and ballooned to gully.
But before there could be too much celebrating, a replay showed Joseph’s foot just over the line.
It is 30 degrees in Perth and the tourists trail by 366. That sort of blow will be extremely demoralising.
Labuschagne is checked by the Australian team doctors after the high hit but is staying in the middle.
LABUSCHAGNE WEARS ONE OF THE GLOVE
We are off and running here to start day four. And it has only taken one over for a little bit of drama.
Marnus Labuschagne has been struck on the hand after a short ball from Alzarri Joseph.
Labuschagne was attempting a pull shot but the ball smashed into his glove.
The Aussie star removed the glove and was seen flexing his hand. He appears to be OK.
There are no signs of him coming off the ground which is great.
TEAMS
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
West Indies XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales
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Even an umpire howler couldn’t save Marnus Labuschagne from another low score in the second Test in Galle. As DANIEL CHERNY writes, the Aussie No. 3 is on borrowed time.