 The third and the final test match between Australia and West Indies will
be played from Wednesday at WACA in Perth. The Aussies lead the series 1-0 after
escaping with a draw on the fifth and the final day of the second test match thanks
to a resilient partnership between Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin.
Click for Live Score Card of Australia vs West IndiesThe WACA had been known as an Aussie bastion for long, as the visiting teams
were barely able to adjust to the hard, bouncy track there. Leading up to 2008,
the Aussies had not lost a single test match there since West Indies had beaten
them on a brute of a pitch in 1997. In 2008, India had managed to get the better
of them, while, this was followed by a remarkable six wicket win by South Africa,
in which they chased down 414 - signalling a change in the inherent nature of
the track.
The Aussies would have had gone into the second test match assuming that they
would have made it 2-0, but for most part of the test match, except probably
the second day, they looked like they were chasing leather. What remains to
be seen is whether the West Indian side will be able to sustain that momentum,
or the surprise will wear off and they will be back to their normal self.
Because, if the West Indies wish and hope for continuing turnaround
in the series, they will need to bat, bowl and field equally well.
In all probabilities, the West Indian side will go into the game, unchanged.
Most of the players performed to the best of the ability, and despite what one
says about Kemar Roach, he should be fit by the time the third test match is
around. Darren Sammy is a useful bowler alright, but one gets the sense that
he should be the fifth option that the captain should be using; after Roach,
Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Bravo and Sulieman Benn.
Talking of Chris Gayle, the captain, his innings of 165 and his carrying
of bat was a subject of intense discussion. It was a very unlike Gayle innings,
and full credit must be given to the captain for keeping his side's interests
in mind.
From the Australian standpoint, Peter Siddle has joined their ever growing
list of injuries. While he says, he should be fit by the time the game is around,
it remains to be seen whether the Aussies are able to extract his full potential.
Doug Bollinger will continue to replace Ben Hilfenhaus, while Mitchell Johnson
may take up the new ball.
The batting line-up for the Aussies should remain the same, with Shane Watson
having convinced the selectors of his viability as an opener - so far that is!
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