1st Test: Australia declare on 598/4; Smith, Labuschagne score double-centuries
What's the story
Double-centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith powered Australia past 500 on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against West Indies in Perth. The duo shared a 251-run stand, while Travis Head fell one short of his century. Australia declared on 598/4 (152.4). West Indies responded well in the final session, finishing on 74/0. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was impressive in his maiden Test innings.
Smith
Smith races to his fourth double-ton
Smith, who smashed his 29th Test century, has converted the same into a double-ton. The Australian vice-captain accomplished the milestone on Day 2. Notably, Smith had returned unbeaten on 59 on Day 1. He has now registered his fourth double-ton in the format. Smith returned unbeaten on 200 off 311 balls. He smashed a total of 16 fours.
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Smith equals these legends
Smith has equaled legends Greg Chappell and Michael Clarke in terms of double-tons (4 each). Elsewhere, he has also matched Sunil Gavaskar, Hashim Amla, Gordon Greenidge, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Yousuf, Brendon McCullum Zaheer Abbas, and L Hutton in this regard.
Labuschagne
Second Test double-ton for Labuschagne
Labuschagne clocked his second Test double-century on Day 2. He tackled the Caribbean bowlers with class and brought up his double ton off 348 deliveries. He eventually fell to Kraigg Brathwaite after scoring a 350-ball 204 (4s: 20, 6: 1). Labuschagne's maiden double-ton in the format was recorded against New Zealand in January 2020 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (215 off 363 balls).
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Labuschagne breaks this record of Smith
During his knock, Labuschagne smashed Smith's record of most 50-plus scores by an Aussie after 29 Tests. While Labuschagne breached the 50-run mark for the 22nd time, Smith had 20 fifty-plus scores after 29 Tests.
Head
Head falls for 99, misses his ton
Australian batter Travis Head missed out on a century. Head was dismissed for 99 by Kraigg Brathwaite. He consumed just 95 balls, striking at 104.21. Head came into the crease when Australia lost double-centurion Labuschagne (204) as the score read 402/3. Head forged a solid 196-run stand at a brisk pace alongside Smith for the 4th wicket. It was the former's ninth Test fifty.
WI
Debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul dominates Australians
While Australia compiled a mammoth total, the West Indies openers did not let the Aussies dominate. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who is playing his maiden Test, negotiated the Australian bowlers with his counter-attack. He returned unbeaten on 47 off 73 balls (6 fours, 1 six). Meanwhile, skipper Brathwaite remained watchful. He scored just one boundary in his 79-ball 18.
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Brathwaite was the only wicket-taker (Day 2)
It is to note that Brathwaite was the only wicket-taker of the day. He dismissed both Labuschagne and Head. The WI skipper finished with figures of 2/65 in 12.4 overs. Meanwhile, Jayden Seales and Kyle Mayers took one wicket each.