AUS vs WI 1st Test Day 2: Smith, Labuschagne’s ton powers Australia to 598-4

AUS vs WI 1st Test Day 2: The Australian clan was all pumped up after having a fantastic Day  1. They carried ahead the momentum from day one moving into Day 2 of the first Test. Australia began Day 2 on 239 with two wickets down. Marnus Lanuschagne & Steve Smith carried ahead the innings from where they have left. Labuschagne started bowling at 154 while Smith was batting at 59.

The duo pressed the accelerator & amassed runs to take Australia to a decent total by the end of the day. Labuschagne & Smith smashed West Indies bowlers across the park & were scoring runs in abundance. Labuschagne who had earlier scored a ton on Day 1 added another to his kitty. He scored 204 runs in 350 balls with 20 fours & one six. On the other hand, Smith brought up his 29^th Test Century in 194 deliveries & now equals the record with Sir Don Bradman.

However, soon their powering stand was broken when Labuschagne got dismissed at 204 runs just on the cusp of lunch. Then came Travis Head on crease who along with Smith carried ahead Australia’s innings. Smith was going string as he brought up his second ton in just 118 balls while Head supported him on the other end by playing a run-a-ball inning & scoring 99 off 95 balls. The duo took Australia over the 500-run mark before Head got dismissed off Brathwaite’s delivery. But Smith was heading strong at the other end & it was his efforts that helped Australia to declare innings at 598-4. Smith stayed unbeaten at 200 off 311 balls with 16 fours.

West Indies batters, Kraigg Brathwaite & debutant Chanderpaul Tangenarine came to the crease to begin Windies innings. The duo mixed aggression & ensured that visitors end Day 2 without losing a single wicket. Brathwaite scored 18 runs off 79 balls while Tangenarine scored 47 runs off 73 balls. The duo helped West Indies to end AUS Vs WI 1st Test Day 2 at 74 runs with no loss of wickets. They would now resume Day 3 & would aim to accelerate runs just like Australia so that they can chase the mammoth target set by the hosts.