Aussie quicks humble Windies in Dominica

Australia’s selectors stuck by their pace trio of Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc and it paid dividends in Dominica on Wednesday.

The three quicks claimed eight wickets among them as Australia rolled the West Indies for just 148 on day one of the first Test at Windsor Park.

It was the second-lowest total by the West Indies in a first innings against Australia in the Caribbean.

At stumps Australia were 3-85 just a mere 63 runs behind the home team with seven first innings wickets in hand.

David Warner (8), Shaun Marsh (19) and Michael Clarke (18) were the men dismissed as Australia made hard work of the final session.

Debutant Adam Voges was unbeaten on 20 alongside new No.3 Steve Smith, who posted an unbeaten 17.

After days of speculation over whether Australia would play two spinners at the traditionally spin-friendly venue, the decision to stick with a tried and tested formula proved the right one.

Hazlewood and Johnson finished with 3-33 and 3-34 respectively while Starc overcame a sluggish start to finish with 2-48 off his 15 overs.

The quicks were backed up in the field by some fantastic fielding from the tourists.

Clarke snared three slip catches, including a great left-handed grab to remove Darren Bravo for 19 and give Nathan Lyon (1-20) his sole wicket for the innings.

Marsh’s snare of top-scorer Shai Hope (36) just before lunch proved crucial, while 35-year-old Voges also took a fine running effort after Jerome Taylor (6) had spooned a Steve Smith (1-2) long-hop high in the air.

Voges had earlier become Australia’s 442nd Test player after the 35-year-old was presented with his baggy green cap by former Test quick Brendon Julian before play.

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