Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

News

 
 
Benn burns brightly

Benn burns brightly for Windies

06/12/2009 6:25 PM

A five-wicket haul by Sulieman Benn has guided the West Indies to a strong position against Australia in the second Test match at Adelaide Oval.

The Windies took 6-93 after tea to bowl the Aussies out for 439 and then reached 0-23 at stumps to extend their overall lead to 35 runs.

Captain Chris Gayle took 11 runs off Mitchell Johnson's opening over and is unbeaten on 12 while Adrian Barath smashed a boundary off the last ball of the day to finish on 10.

Australia may enter day four down a bowler with Peter Siddle staying off the field after feeling some tightness in his hamstring.

Benn bowled 37 overs on Sunday and finished with career-best figures of 5-155 - his control, bounce and aggression worrying every batsman.

He was well supported by a lively Kemar Roach who hurried up the Australians and took 3-93.

The home side's top seven got starts but failed to go on to post centuries after Shane Watson (96) and Simon Katich (80) created an ideal launch pad with a 174-run opening stand.

Brad Haddin made a spirited and unbeaten 55 and worked well with the tail before his focus on maintaining the strike saw No. 11 Doug Bollinger run out.

Benn struck in the third over after tea with Marcus North caught at leg slip off the back of his bat while attempting a sweep shot.

Michael Clarke, who brought up his half-century in the second session, added just nine runs to his tally before surrendering his wicket for 71.

He waved his blade at a full Benn delivery and nicked one through to Ramnaresh Sarwan at first slip. Clarke's 179-minute, 130-ball innings featured five boundaries.

Johnson's knock was brief and a lack of footwork played a part in his nick to Gayle who took a regulation catch off Darren Sammy at first slip.

The Australians then regained some ascendency through a 41-run partnership between Haddin and Nathan Hauritz.

Hauritz made 17 before he was caught behind hooking off Roach.

Siddle and Bollinger were dismissed without scoring but Haddin's urgent approach got the home side within striking distance.

The day started poorly for the Aussies with Watson dismissed for his overnight score on the second ball of the morning.

The right-hander had his middle stump knocked out of the ground as he tried to pull a Benn delivery to the midwicket fence to bring up triple figures.

Watson kicked the turf in frustration and trudged off the ground slowly in disbelief.

Katich was then caught at short leg by Barath off Benn in the ninth over of the day and the home side was 2-195.

The Aussies were 4-346 at tea after a tough second session.

They added 43 runs to the total in the opening hour but the West Indies took the new ball after the drinks break and it didn't take long for Roach to strike.

He had Hussey cutting and nicking through to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin on the following delivery.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

Latest Cricket Headlines

 
 
North answers critics
North answers critics
Cricket
20/03/2010 11:45 PM
While Michael Clarke was by far the highlight of the Australian first innings against New ...
 
 
Hussey prefers pain
Cricket
20/03/2010 9:47 PM
 
Shield in Vics' grasp
Cricket
20/03/2010 6:10 PM
 
Bulls need a miracle
Cricket
20/03/2010 5:24 PM
 
Aussies dominate NZ
Cricket
20/03/2010 4:41 PM
 
Victoria piles on pain
Cricket
20/03/2010 3:37 PM
 
Kiwis in early trouble
Cricket
20/03/2010 2:00 PM
 
Aussies post big total
Cricket
20/03/2010 12:51 PM
 
Hussey slays Bulls
Cricket
20/03/2010 12:48 PM
 
Clarke, North flourish
Cricket
20/03/2010 10:51 AM
 
 
 

Your Say

 
 

Our Say

 
 
Angus Morgan
Circus aside, it's show time
Angus Morgan
Now, finally, the focus can turn to the main event - the first Test between New Zealand ...more
Paul Gough
White's logical decision nearly backfires
Paul Gough
There is an old saying in cricket - if you win the toss bat first and if you are in doubt ...more