Australia retained the Frank Worrell Trophy with a score of 2-0 at Adelaide Oval, bowling out West Indies for 77 runs before the fourth day’s end. It was the lowest score for which West Indies have been dismissed in Australia, with the tourists losing by 419 runs in the second Test. In Adelaide, despite the absence of two of Australia’s first-choice bowlers, there was no repeat of the batting resilience displayed in Perth.
The most amazing aspect of the victory was the depth of Australia’s bench, which provided options for every player. Scott Boland had already experienced his classic Boland moment the night before, when he struck out three West Indies hitters in a single over before Mitchell Starc added a fourth.
The visiting side had nowhere to hide when it resumed play on the fourth day at 38 for four, 459 runs down. The only question was for how long they could battle.
Starc was the first to achieve success, as the left-slant armer’s across the right-hander induced Devon Thomas to hit a drive. The edge was comfortably caught behind, and Thomas was out at number 11 No batting error was responsible for the second wicket, as pace and Starc’s characteristic inswing bent the ball back into Jason Holder on 12 and past his defense to strike the top of the middle stump.
It was little more than Starc doing what he does best, as he extended his world-leading record with the pink ball to 61 wickets at 18.16 runs per wicket in fewer than six overs.
West Indies wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva and spinning all-rounder Roston Chase tried their best, dismissing Mitchell Starc and batting for 10 overs to reach the drinks break. But then it was Michael Neser’s time, courtesy of Alex Carey’s cleverness.
Chase was batting outside the crease to counter Neser’s bowling technique, so Carey elected to maintain the wicket at the stumps. Neser is not the quickest bowler, but with an average speed of around 130 kilometers per hour, this was no easy task.
Chase, forced to alter his strategy, played the ball across the line and towards Carey’s shoulder, the Australian goalkeeper changing his body position to divert the ball to the middle of his chest, where he was able to catch it with one hand.
Carey added another great grab in the same over when da Silva attempted to provide a more typical outside edge by pushing at the ball. Chase went out for 13 runs, da Silva for 15, and West Indies for 76 runs.
The Carey-Neser partnership ended the match with a third wicket, Carey standing back this time when the injured No. 11 Marquino Mindley stepped backward. In between, however, Nathan Lyon had his moment, adding 450 Test wickets to his career total for Australia.
How Alzarri Joseph was bowled was symbolic of the West Indies’ capitulation: he charged down and attempted to hit a ball that was hard-spun and twisted sharply past his inside edge. But it was a little milestone for Lyon as he continues his march toward 500 wickets and possibly more.
Lyon, who recently turned 35, has participated in Australia’s last 90 consecutive Test matches. If his health permits, he might add 14 more by the end of next July, and based on the last couple of weeks, he is bowling as well as ever.
The next visit to India will provide its difficulties, but Lyon has previously achieved success on those shores and is well-equipped for another try. It should be entertaining to observe when it occurs.
Assignment one was completed in Australia. It was not anticipated that the current West Indies side would be able to compete in these conditions, but having a team in form before the next South Africa series is crucial. There are presently no uncertainties over the top eleven positions on the national team or the reserve bowling ranks.
Patrick Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will almost definitely return as soon as possible, whereas Starc may be offered a break at some point but will not request one unless fitness demands it. All eyes are now on Brisbane, where the first South Africa Test will begin on Friday.
