Matthew Wade powered Australia back into the match with his first Test century as West Indies struggled to finish off Australia’s tail on the second morning in Dominica. Australia added 116 to their overnight total for the loss of their final three wickets, the last two taken by Shane Shillingford, who finished with 6 for 119 as the Australians were eventually dismissed for 338 less than ten minutes before the scheduled lunch break.
Earlier, Shane Shillingford celebrated becoming the first Dominican to play Test cricket in his home country in style on Monday as the West Indies off-spinner took four Australian wickets on the opening day of the third and final Test at Windsor Park. Australia finished the day on 212 for seven, in some trouble after winning the toss. They only need a draw to take the series having won the first Test in Barbados.
It was an unforgettable day for 29-year-old Shillingford as, getting bounce out of the pitch, he bowled an uninterrupted spell of twenty-four overs and finished with 4-77.
He claimed the scalps of David Warner (50), Ricky Ponting (23), Michael Clarke (24) and Mike Hussey (10). “These guys are guys who once they get in score a lot of runs. Getting these guys out is a real honour for me,” said Shillingford. “I normally get a good amount of bounce but on the second or third day. On the first day, especially with the spin I got, it was a little surprising but (when) I started getting that I started feeling well.” Shillingford could barely believe how the day had gone for him.
“I started off walking the guys onto the field. The skipper told me to keep my cool, play my normal game and from there I started feeling better and all the excitement came. “I’ve never got a five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Coming up against Australia, I have a chance to get one so it’s definitely something I want do, especially playing at home.”
The morning session yielded just the one wicket thanks to Ravi Rampaul.
On his return to the side after a bout of dengue fever and subsequently a shoulder injury, Rampaul’s second delivery came back into Ed Cowan who didn’t play a shot and the ball struck him on the pad trapping him lbw.
Warner and Watson prevented any more wickets falling before lunch but were hindered by an outfield which slowed the ball down – only sixteen boundaries were hit during the day.
They put together a partnership of 83 before Watson struck a pull shot off Darren Sammy in the air to backward square-leg where Narsingh Deonarine ran in and took the catch.
