Matthew Wade’s maiden Test century has given Australia a potentially winning edge in the third Test against the West Indies in Dominica.
Wade scored 106 in just his third Test to lift Australia to 328 in their first innings before the Windies were reduced to 8-165 at stumps, still trailing by 163 runs with three days to play at Windsor Park.
Resuming alongside Mitchell Starc with the score 7-212, Wade survived being dropped on 22 to add 116 runs with Starc (35) and Ben Hilfenhaus (19) as Australia’s tail wagged for the third time in as many matches this series.
The 24-year-old, who eclipsed Rod Marsh as the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred for Australia, raced to the milestone.
With current selector Marsh watching in the stands, Wade took just 32 deliveries to race from 50 to 100, bringing up his ton with the 10th boundary an innings which also including three sixes.
“That’s generally the way I play,” Wade said.
“I know that if I can get myself in for long enough that I can make it up towards the end if I’m batting with the tail.
“Maybe not make it up like I did today but that’s generally my game plan. I’m not too worried about scoreboard pressure as such.
“I try and build an innings and try and catch up at the back end.”
Wade eventually fell just before lunch as Windies spinner Shane Shillingford claimed the last two wickets to finish with career-best figures of 6-119.
But the Victorian’s innings set the platform for Australia’s bowlers with Nathan Lyon leading the way with 3-49 as the Windies slumped to be 8-120 and in danger of facing a follow-on.
Veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul (34no) finally found a willing partner though in No.10 Ravi Rampaul (24no), the pair adding an unbroken 45 runs to take the hosts through to stumps.
Australia opener Ed Cowan, who took three catches and ran out Windies skipper Darren Sammy, ended the day with an ice-pack on his arm after suffering a blow to his wrist when fielding in close and will be monitored overnight.
Windies assistant coach Toby Radford said he was hopeful Chanderpaul and Rampaul could provide a similar counter-attack to Australia’s efforts on day three.
“We have got to come with that positive mindset and belief,” Radford said.
“Shiv has been fantastic in every match and has been like a brick wall for us, he barely plays a bad shot.
“If Ravi can stick in and keep doing what he’s done and hitting those boundaries we can still cut that lead.”
Play resumes at 10am on Wednesday (2400 AEST).
