Friday April 13, 2012
Australia beat West Indies in thrilling opening Test
BRIDGETOWN (Barbados): Australia drew first blood here on Wednesday to beat the West Indies by three wickets in a thrilling finish to the first Test.
Ben Hilfenhaus hit the final run of the 192–run target with the light fading fast to give the tourists victory after the hosts had fought back to keep the game in the balance.
A half century from Shane Watson and a rapid 32 from Mike Hussey were the key contributions as the visitors got home in the gloom.
Fittingly, man of the match Ryan Harris was with Hilfenhaus at the crease at the end.
“I actually said to Mike Hussey before tea that I’d love to be out there at the end of a Test match and hit the winning runs.
“I didn’t do that but I was out there. It was a good feeling.
“That was one of the hardest Test matches I’ve played in my short career. To win a game like that after they batted for two days it’s pretty amazing.”
It was clear that the defeat had hurt the West Indies skipper Darren Sammy.
“We dominated a top side with some good players and the way I heard them celebrating on the balcony means a lot to me,” he said.
“We’ll take that to heart and look to come back strong in Trinidad.”
During the morning, the West Indies had added 77 more runs to their overnight total of 71-5 to set a relatively tough target of 192. – AFP
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