The Boxing Day test provided no respite for the West Indians as the Australian top order simply feasted on some helpless bowling from the visitors. Test matches these days in Australia have had great similarities as the team batting first piles up a massive score and that is often more than enough to wrap up the game by an innings. If the trend carries on, then West Indies indeed need to fear the worst.
David Warner began the day with a flurry of boundaries, before his stint was cut short on 23 off just 12 balls. Comeback man Usman Khawaja and opener Joe Burns got together to pile up misery for the visitors. Their 258 run stand for the second wicket was enough to decimate all hopes of a West Indian comeback in the game. No bowler looked effective enough against the two and both brought up their centuries in the same over.
Burns was finally stumped on the bowling of part timer Kraigg Braithwaite for 128. Khawaja was eventually dismissed for 144 as he was caught behind off Jerome Taylor. With Day one belonging entirely to Australia, things indeed look bleak for the visitors.
Below, are the statistical highlights for the first day’s play between Australia and West Indies.
1. 53,389. The official attendance for the first day of the game. The 2014 Boxing Day test featuring India had 69,993 spectators for the first day. The difference speaks volumes about the perception of West Indies in test cricket.
2. 25.12. David Warner’s average at the MCG. His lowest by far at any home venue.
3. 1000. The number of international centuries scored by Australians. They top the list, followed by the English, who have 964 international centuries.
4. 53+. The average of Australia’s top 5 batsmen today.
5. 446. Adam Voges’ batting average currently against West Indies.