The second test match between Australia and West Indies will be played at Adelaide from Friday. Australia had won the first game rather comfortably and will look to ensure that they continue with their record of not having lost a home test match to West Indies for many years now. And with Frank Worrell trophy at stake, a win here for the Aussies will mean that they have an unassailable lead in the three test match series.

The West Indies side was thoroughly outplayed in the first game at Brisbane. Their bowling did restrict the opposition a little on the first day but given the nature of the pitch, a total of around 500 was always going to be difficult to face in the first innings, and with Ramnaresh Sarwan out of the game, it also left a gaping hole in the middle order for the inexperience of Travis Dowlin to fulfil.

Chris Gayle also left a lot to be desired with his batting as the opener, but with Adrian barath having come good at the top, it will take a lot of pressure off the captain's shoulder. Barath became the youngest West Indian to score a century in Australia and his talent looked to have come through rather well in the game. Not for nothing, it looked, that Brian Lara rates him so highly then!

The bowling for the tourists does look a little thin on paper, and the hip injury to Jerome Taylor will almost invariably make it difficult for them on a flat batting surface in Adelaide. He has already flown back to the Caribbean, and in all probabilities, Gavin Tonge will get into the side. Tonge had made the batsmen struggle on those helpful conditions on South Africa in the Champions Trophy and that could mean that his selection will be one to watch out for.

For the Aussies, despite their good first innings total, they would have liked to have seen someone or the other convert their start into something more substantial - probably a big hundred. A lot of eyes will be on Shane Watson whose performance as an opener has been continuously monitored with the likes of Phil Hughes waiting in the sidelines. The question that remains is whether he can be adjusted down the order in place of someone like a Marcus North, who has himself been in the form of his life.

The bowling has looked good for the Aussies, but they would have been stuck by the news that Ben Hilfenhaus will not be a part of the side for the second test due to injury issues. In his place, Doug Bollinger should feature in the test match.

Tag :- Australia   Doug Bollinger   Frank Worrell trophy   Gavin Tonge   Ramnaresh Sarwan   Shane Watson   West Indies