A fine opening spell from West Indies captain Darren Sammy and a terrible mix-up that saw Ricky Ponting run out has given the home side the edge on the third morning (by lunch) of the opening Test.
Following his positive batting display on Sunday, Darren Sammy brought himself on to open the bowling at the Joel Garner End at the start of the morning.
Having added only one run to his overnight score, Ed Cowan was drawn into a shot just outside off stump and edged through to the keeper.
Shane Watson, batting for the first time in a Test at number three, was fortunate to survive twice when he had scored 5.
He left a Sammy delivery alone that came back and hit his pad outside off stump but the DRS result went in favour of the batsman, but only just.
Next over Kemar Roach also appealed for an lbw decision that was turned down but replays showed that, on appeal, Watson would have been on his way.
Sammy’s persevering line just outside off stump worked again when David Warner played at a ball without much foot movement and Darren Bravo took the catch at second slip. It set Sammy off on another major celebration with Warner having scored 42 off 55 balls.
After the early scares Shane Watson had settled but when he turned a Fidel Edwards delivery to fine leg he was looking for a second run which would have been tight.
After running the first Ricky Ponting hadn’t moved as Kraigg Brathwaite pounced on the ball and threw in one movement. He’d thrown it to the wrong end but there was so much confusion between the two batsmen that Ponting didn’t have time to turn back.
He showed his frustration as he started his walk back. Devendra Bishoo’s leg breaks were causing few problems but in the 36th over one stayed low and when Michael Clarke, on 21, cut at the ball the West Indies went up for a catch behind.
Umpire Tony Hill gave it out but Clarke immediately called for the DRS. There was quite a bit of surprise when TV Umpire Marais Erasmus overturned the on-field decision as there didn’t appear to be conclusive evidence in the favour of Clarke.
With the Australian skipper having been in such good form in recent Tests, that decision could turn out to be a key moment in the match.
Watson, Clarke rebuild after Sammy removes openers
