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Storm warning: Rampant Warner smashes ton as West Indies are put out of their misery in Australia
Australian opener breathes some life into a rain-ruined final test with a pulsating ton as the match meanders to a draw
West Indies players listen to the proceedings after Australia defeated the West Indies in the Test series on the final day of the third cricket Test match played in Sydney on January 7, 2016. AFP PHOTO / William WEST --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO COMMERCIAL USE--
Australia’s David Warner breathed life into the rain-ruined final test with a pulsating ton as the match meandered to a draw against the West Indies on Thursday.
Warner, determined to finish an undistinguished series on a high, reached his 16th test century off 82 balls before a small Sydney crowd in the last rites to a frustrating test.
The buccaneering opener had a highest score of 64 in the two previous tests as teammates helped themselves to six centuries against the tourists’ innocuous bowling attack.
Warner was hell-bent on rectifying that inadequacy and attacked the bowling from the first ball to raise his maiden ton against the West Indies.
Australia’s David Warner is congratulated as play draws to a close on day five. Photo: Reuters
The match was consigned to a draw after two days were washed out with only 86.2 overs possible before the anti-climatic fifth day.
“It’s been quite an impressive summer for us to win four tests out of the six and not lose any,” said Australia captain Steve Smith.
“I think in total we’ve scored 15 centuries between us in six test matches and we’ve obviously taken 20 wickets on four occasions.”
When play resumed, the West Indies added 82 runs before being dismissed for 330.
Australia, and Warner in particular, went after the tourists’ total with gusto to entertain the small crowd given free admission into the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Warner provided plenty of entertainment, clubbing spinner Jomel Warrican for two sixes in three balls on the way to plundering 16 runs from one over.
His first six raised his half-century off 42 balls as he dominated the scoring over opening partner Joe Burns.
Australia’s David Warner hit a furious 100 of just 82 balls on day five. Photo: AP
Burns was out soon after, attempting to hoist Warrican over mid-on only to be taken head-high by Kemar Roach for 26.
Under-used Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Neville were promoted in the order.
Marsh, in only his third bat of the series, was caught at slip for 21 giving spinner Jomel Warrican his fifth wicket of the series and making him his side’s leading wicket-taker over the three tests.
The West Indies earlier reached their highest score of the series before being dismissed at lunch.
It was the first time the West Indies had passed 300 in their last nine test innings against Australia.
Spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe each took three wickets to finish off the first innings which had remained on hold since Monday after two days of unrelenting rain.
Australia captain Steve Smith receives the Frank Warrell trophy from former Australian cricketer Alan Davidson after the series victory. Photo: Reuters
Play finally got under way under sunny skies, just over 70 hours after the previous ball was bowled on Monday’s second day.
I think in total we’ve scored 15 centuries between us in six test matches and we’ve obviously taken 20 wickets on four occasions
Days three and four were totally washed out, making it the first time that two consecutive days had been lost to rain in a test in Australia in almost 26 years.
Australia have already won the series and retained the Frank Worrell Trophy after huge wins in the Hobart and Melbourne tests.
The players wore black arm bands as a mark of respect for the father of West Indies batsman Rajendra Chandrika, who passed away this week.