Australia Thrash Windies

Australia have completed an emphatic victory in the First Test against the West Indies. The result is further evidence that Australia are rebuilding strongly following their Ashes defeat, while the West Indies have now lost seven of their nine Tests in 2015.

Australia’s batsmen proved too much for the West Indian bowlers, posting 583 runs for the loss of just four wickets in their first innings before declaring. Adam Voges, who enjoyed an impressive start to his Test career against the West Indies earlier this year, scored an unbeaten 269 from just 284 deliveries. He was aided by Shaun Marsh, who scored 182 as the pair put on 449 runs together.

In reply, the West Indies could only manage 223. Darren Bravo was the only batsman to offer any resistance, scoring 108. Josh Hazlewood, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon shared the wickets between them, with Hazleood in particular impressing with figures of 4-45. With the West Indies trailing by 360, Australia enforced the follow on.

Again the tourists failed to build any meaningful partnerships. Kraits Braithwaite scored 94, but the rest of the batting crumbled as they were dismissed for just 148, handing the Aussies a victory by a margin of an innings and 212 runs. Hazelwood was again impressing taking another three wickets. However, it was James Pattinson who was the star of the bowling attack, taking figures of 5-27.

The three match Test series will continue on Boxing Day, and it would be no surprise if Australia won the next two games of the series in comfortable fashion to continue their recent impressive form.