Australia has completed a dominating win at Adelaide Oval, defeating West Indies by 419 runs inside a session on day four to take the Test series 2-0.
Michael Neser took three wickets and Michell Starc claimed two, with Alex Carey claiming six catches behind the stumps as the tourists lost 6-39 on the fourth day to end up all out for 77.
The victory is by a record margin for matches between Australia and West Indies.
Australia will now meet South Africa in a three-Test series starting Saturday at the Gabba, while West Indies will hope to regroup before returning for another two-Test series next summer.
What was an already near impossible task became even harder for the tourists when Devon Thomas’s obdurate 84-ball stay followed a ball angled across him by Starc and edged to Carey at the end of the third over of the day.
“A disappointing second game for sure,” West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite said after the match.
“We thought in the first game we showed some fight, which was good to see.
“But very disappointing, we didn’t see the fight here at all.
“The guys still want to see the West Indies do well. We didn’t show any fight here in the second Test, which is disappointing.”
Starc was fired up, the most prolific pink-ball bowler in world cricket next producing a brilliant delivery to dismiss Jason Holder (11 off 88 balls) — a perfect in-swinger that knocked off-stump cartwheeling out of the ground.
The Australians sensed an early victory and Starc nearly had another scalp the same over when wicketkeeper-batter Joshua da Silva inside edged one past the diving Carey.
Scott Boland, who started the damage with a three-wicket maiden on the third evening, bowled in tandem with Starc without success.
Neser then joined the party thanks to some magnificent keeping from Carey.
Carey came up to Neser, who was still bowling 120kph, and took two terrific catches off outside edges to dismiss Roston Chase (13) and Josh da Silva (15).
Lyon then deceived Alzarri Joseph, bowling him for just 3 to claim his 450th Test wicket.
Neser finished things off by having Marquino Mindley caught for a duck by Carey to claim his third wicket of the session.
“[The] bowlers did the job for us like they’ve done so many times for us in the pink-ball games,” Australia stand-in captain Smith said, after crediting the superb batting performance from the first innings.
“We are undefeated and know how to play with the pink ball. It was another good week.”
Travis Head was named player of the match, with Marnus Labuschagne claiming player of the series honours for his epic run scoring over the course of the two matches.
With Starc, Neser and Boland all taking three wickets in the second innings, Smith said selection would be a pleasing headache ahead of the Brisbane Test.
“That’s what you want isn’t it? You want people competing for spots, challenging each other to get better and better,” he said.
“That is what this team is doing. We know anyone who comes in, can do a good job for us and it keeps it exciting.”
Australia will likely be without Josh Hazlewood for opening Test against South Africa, meaning selectors must decide between Boland — whose extraordinary Test record makes him favourite for selection — and Neser on his home ground, with captain Pat Cummins set to return.
Look back on how the action unfolded in our blog.
Live updates
Australia vs West Indies, second Test
By Simon Smale
That’s where we’ll leave it
By Andrew McGarry
Key Event
Well, there was a decent chance of things ending today, but we didn’t exactly expect THAT finish!
This brings our coverage of the second Test to an end. Thank you for joining us on the blog during this Test – and this series!
We will be back with you next Saturday for the start of the three-Test series against South Africa, beginning with the First Test at the Gabba.
In the meantime, from myself, Andrew McGarry, and from Simon Smale, it’s goodbye and good afternoon!
The Australians lift the Frank Worrell Trophy!
By Andrew McGarry
That is a comprehensive series win, and an amazing sign of Australia’s depth, with Scott Boland and Michael Neser in the bowling ranks combining to help dismiss West Indies for 77 in the second innings.
There will be changes for the South Africa series – Pat Cummins is almost certain to return, Josh Hazlewood will not play at the Gabba. How would you be a selector having to choose between Boland and Neser to pick one for the first Test? #NotEasy
Australian stand-in skipper Steve Smith
By Andrew McGarry
I thought our boys batted particularly well the first day. The partnership between Usman and Marnus and Travis set the game up for us. Bowlers did the job for us as they do so many times in the pink ball. We are undefeated and know how to play with the pink ball. It’s been a good week.
He acknowledges Labuschagne’s incredible series.
Can’t say too much, it will get to his head. He works incredibly hard on his game in the nets and comes out. He’s clear about the way he wants to go about things, he is say adapt table when ever situation is needed at the time. No reason he can’t keep scoring big runs.
And for the series vs South Africa?
They present a really good challenge for us. They are a really good side. Particularly the fast bowling stocks are really strong. We’re going to have to be at our best to compete with them in this series. It will be a belter.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite
By Andrew McGarry
It’s subdued skipper for the tourists.
Disappointing second game for sure. We thought the first game, you know, we showed some fight which was good to see. Obviously unfortunate in the second game we lost and the guys to injury. Very disappointing, we didn’t see the fight here at all. Not the best end to obviously a good test, you know a good test here for us but we have to continue to work.
He says he is happy with how the West Indies fought in the first Test… He surprises no one when he says they’ve found one in Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
Very impressed. Not surprised. I saw him play first class for a couple of years now. I know he has a big future for him. I really look forward to the future with him. Opening batting for sure.
Player of the series – Marnus Labuschagne
By Andrew McGarry
No surprises here, either, with Marnus Labuschagne racking up 500-plus runs for the series. Almost unstoppable.
He says ‘it’s nice to be going through a patch where you are scoring runs consistently and the team is winning consistently”.
That’s one way of putting it!
I feel like I don’t have as much rhythm when I’m playing with the pink ball compared to the red ball where you feel like it swings consistently or the pace of the ball is the same off the wicket. It’s been nice to contribute with the pink ball.
Labuschagne is excited to head home to the Gabba to start the South Africa series next Saturday.
The presentations – player of the match, Travis Head
By Andrew McGarry
A popular decision with the Adelaide crowd, as Travis Head’s knock of 175 gets him the nod.
I’ll take it (the 175). Especially last week missing out by one much it’s nice to play at home. It’s been a really nice week. Looking forward to the next three.
Head says he’s very happy to be batting with Marnus Labuschagne:
Just let him do his thing and I do my thing.Pretty simple. He’s in the form of his life. It’s nice to sit at the other end and know you are not going to lose him at the other end. We’ve batted with each other for a long period of time.
What an innings from Alex Carey!
By Andrew McGarry
You cannot argue with the wicketkeeping from Alex Carey – he took six catches in that second innings. #Elite
Tough times for the West Indies
By Andrew McGarry
Also, what’s the deal with this Windies team??? I long way off the days of Lara and co.
– Doc
Hard to argue, Doc – but these are different times, with different challenges for talent identification with basketball and other sports claiming some of the best young athletes.
Let’s hope that the men from the Caribbean manage to consolidate things over the next 12 months – there is another two-Test series on Australian soil in January 2024, hopefully there will be time for more young talent like Tagenarine Chanderpaul to emerge before then.
Australia wins the second Test by 419 runs!
By Andrew McGarry
Key Event
What a performance by the Aussies!!
That was a brilliant bowling effort, but very, very disappointing for the West Indies. You have to say the batting was pretty abysmal today.
The Australians give themselves a day and a half off, as they prepare now for the South Africa series.
41st over – Michael Neser finishes it off!
By Andrew McGarry
Key Event
First ball blocked by Anderson Phillip.
West indies have lost 5-38 this first session. Horrible.
Another dot ball.
AND THAT’S IT!
Another edge – Mindley gets it behind, and Carey takes it again on the second grab.
That’s three to Neser! And we are done!
Lyon to continue
By Andrew McGarry
Marquino Mindley comes out and defends the first ball.
We are here for the last knockings and the hamstrung West Indies tail-ender is having a go.
DROPPED!!! Good grief, that should have been it – Mindley clipped one of his legs, it was juggled three times at leg slip and dropped by travis Head.
The West Indies survive that over, but only just
40th over – Nathan Lyon is back and he gets his 450th Test wicket!
By Andrew McGarry
Key Event
What an INCREDIBLE over by Michael Neser and amazing form by Alex Carey behind the stumps.
Nathan Lyon is trying …. dot ball to start.
AND NOW THAT’S IT!
Nathan Lyon turns one in to the right-hander and Joseph’s stumps are scattered.
Lyon takes his 450th Test wicket – Australia are one away!
Michael Neser to finish the over – and he bags another!
By Andrew McGarry
Key Event
Runs there for Joshua da Silva.
And now four more for da Silva.
West Indies are 7-76.
And Neser and Carey do it again!!!!!!
Da Silva has edged one to the standing Carey. this is becoming a procession, it’s 8-76.
Roston Chase is out for 13! What a catch from Alex Carey!
By Andrew McGarry
Key Event
My word, what a catch from Alex Carey!
Michael Neser fired one in, Carey was standing up to the stumps, Chase got a solid edge and it deflected to Carey’s shoulder and rebounded to stick in the gloves after a juggle. Huge celebrations, massive reflexes.
What a wicket! That is extraordinary.
Australia three wickets away now – this could be over before tea.
39th over – Michael Neser
By Andrew McGarry
Showing the replay – that was good movement and GREAT hands from Travis Head on that catch.
ARE YOU KIDDING? Chase is out!
38th over – More spin from Lyon
By Andrew McGarry
Lyon fires that one in, da Silva digs it out. No run.
He knocks the next ball down outside leg.
Turn there from that one from Lyon, da Silva flicks it to leg, no run.
“Bowling, Gazza!” is the call after another dot ball.
AND A CATCH!!! But there’s no interest, must have come off the pad.
It beat the bat by some margin but that was some take at leg slip.
37th over – Michael Neser returns
By Andrew McGarry
Neser sends one down outside off to start, no run.
Roston Chase is on 13, trying to set himself for a key knock here.
Now he’s squared up by the stock ball – it squirts out on the off-side, no run.
That’s better from Chase, he gets up on his toes to block it down.
Nice full bat down the pitch. Two to come.
Chase batting out of his crease, has a windy woof at that one!
Wow, that was a nothing shot – lucky to stay.
And a leave to finish, it’s 6-69.
36th over – Nathan Lyon again
By Andrew McGarry
A simple ball first-up, turning back in to the right-hander da Silva.
Another dot, with da Silva reaching forward to smother the spin.
And another – Lyon right on line here.
“Nathan Lyon, that’s delightful bowling!” can be heard on the stump mike, and you can’t really argue.
Da Silva tries to whip the last ball away to leg, but it hits his pad and drops. No run. A maiden.
This is going only one way
By Andrew McGarry
Another big start to the day from Australia …
We don’t expect anything other than this now, but WHAT a spell from Mitchell Starc.
Will the second hour be Nathan Lyon’s?
