This was published 3 years ago
Some seriously impressive stuff from Australia’s middle-order mainstays. Labuschagne’s latest ton takes his first innings average above 85, which is right where Steve Smith’s sits thanks to 18 first innings hundreds.
Don Bradman of course well out in front, but Smith’s current strike rate alongside his great mate Labuschange - 1361 first innings runs with seven hundreds - is scary good.
That’s it for day one from Perth. Have a pleasant evening - and don’t forget to log back onto smh.com.au and theage.com.au in a couple of hours for all the action from the Socceroos’ World Cup clash with Denmark. Sleep? Who needs it?
Steve Smith showed signs that alterations to his batting style could see a return to the days of scoring runs for fun, writes Malcolm Knox.
Meanwhile, after the early exit of multi-format batter David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne made a case for the Sheffield Shield, writes Daniel Brettig.
Marnus Labuschagne has given himself the opportunity to score a second double century as Australia took command on the opening day of the first Test at Perth Stadium on Wednesday.
The hyperactive Labuschagne was unbeaten on 154, his eighth Test century, sending Australia to stumps at 2-293 with Smith 59 not out and primed to charge down his second century in as many Tests.
... Labuschagne contained his hyperactive tendencies in an innings befitting of an Australian number three looking to set up a series for his country. It was the fifth time he has pushed onto 143 or more.
Read the full day one report from Malcolm Conn in Perth here.
Jason Holder starts the final over of the day with an absolute cracker. It moves half a foot off the seam and Labuschagne acknowledges as much.
But as has been the tale of the tape today, it’s as close as the West Indies get, with Labuschagne and Smith to return tomorrow with 500-plus on their minds.
The Windies have toiled hard throughout, slowly but surely being worn down first Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, and now Smith, who looks in seriously ominous touch.
Australia: 2/293 Labuschagne 154*, Smith 59*
Kemar Roach hits Steve Smith above the pad, it’s been ruled not out and there’s a question of an inside edge there as well.
Windies have gone to one of their three DRS reviews - can’t recall a day’s play when it’s taken so long. No bat but always hitting too high on this pitch and umpire’s original decision stands.
Australia: 2/281 Labuschagne 143*, Smith 58*
As is often the case with the new ball late in the day, plenty of action all at once as Labuschagne and Smith both offer a couple of leading edges and Labuschagne almost steers one down to Tagenarine Chanderpaul at backward point.
Smith claps back at the end of a nine-run Kemar Roach over though with a brutal pull shot for four.
Crowd of 10,929 announced for the first day as well.
Australia: 2/279 Labuschagne 142*, Smith 57*
Kraigg Brathwaite had an over and Roston Chase rolled through another as well - no one really knows why to be honest - but now Kemar Roach has been thrown the new rock.
And immediately there’s signs of life! An appeal as Labuschagne flays at a wide one and there’s a simultaneous noise as the toe of the bat hits the pitch. No need for DRS or anything like that. Seven overs left in the day.
Australia: 2/269 Labuschagne 136*, Smith 53*