West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor started the second Test match against Australia in Sabaina Park in a fine manner, bowling six maidens and claiming 2 wickets.
Taylor started in a destructive fashion, dismissing both the Australian openers, David Warner for a duck in the 1st over itself and later trapped Shaun Marsh for a lbw. Not only he grabbed the vital wickets but he went on to bowl 5 maiden overs in the very beginning of the match.
In spite of his terrific bowling performance, he was taken off the attack by skipper Denesh Ramdin and was not re-introduced until just before lunch.
Although It took until his 41st ball, on the other side of the lunch break, for Taylor to finally concede a run. Prior that he had the eye-catching figures of 6-6-0-2.
“I think that’s the first time that’s ever happened,” the 30-year-old Jamaican said, asked whether he had ever bowled six maidens in a row. “But I think I can do it again.”
He did not want to criticise Ramdin for the mystifying tactics on Thursday night, and also backed the decision not to take the new ball late in the day.
I’m only one person and there is a bowling unit and each of us have to get a fair chance. We do what is required for the team moving forward,” Taylor said. “As the bowling leader it was up to me to charge from the front.
Speaking about performing in his home ground, Taylor added, “It means a lot to me to bowl in front of my home crowd. I have memories from here that I will have for the rest of my life. Being here and performing for the crowd in Jamaica is a fantastic feeling.”
Taylor ended the day with figures 3-18 from 15 overs, emerging as the most effective West Indian bowler of the day, as Steve Smith dragged the visitors out of the initial slump to 258 for the loss of 4 wickets at the end of 1st day’s play. Smith remained not out on 135, with Shane Watson(20*) accompanying him on the crease.
In the absence of leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who missed out with a finger injury, left-armer Veerasammy Permaul and part-time spinner Kraigg Brathwaite were used heavily on day one. Smith, a fine player of spin, handled them comfortably but Taylor was confident the West Indies could bounce back with the new ball on the second day of the Test.