Travis Head smashed a rapid 119 and Josh Hazlewood blew away the West Indies top order to put Australia on course for a comprehensive victory in the opening Test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
Head’s seventh Test hundred, the second at his home ground, helped Australia post 283 all out for a handy lead of 95 in the low-scoring contest.
Hazlewood then produced a four-wicket burst to rock the West Indies, who finished Day II on a precarious 73/6, still 22 behind and with a defeat inside three days looming large.
Justin Greaves fell for 24 to the final delivery of the day leaving Joshua Da Silva on 17 at the other end.
“Feels like the seam movement is sharper than yesterday (Wednesday), more pace in the wicket. So yes, it’s nice,” Hazlewood said.
“You are always in the game even if you are hit for a four occasionally.”
After Australia resumed on 59/2, West Indies made frequent inroads to stay in the contest. Occupying the No.4 position after Steve Smith moved up to the top of the order,
Cameron Green (14) could not impress.
Shamar Joseph (5/94) dismissed Green caught behind, and fellow debutant Greaves sent back Usman Khawaja (45), who was snared in the slip.
Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey did not last long but Head counter-attacked and brought up his hundred with a driven four off spinner Gudakesh Motie before celebrating the milestone in style. The left-hander, who hit Shamar for back-to-back sixes, went past 3,000 Test runs during his knock.
Kavem Hodge took a well-judged catch near the rope to dismiss Head, who had gone after Alzarri Joseph.
Shamar dismissed Nathan Lyon (24) to complete his five-wicket haul but world Test champions Australia remained in the ascendancy when the West Indies came out to bat for the second time in two days.
Hazlewood then rattled the visitors, not allowing them any time to settle. The Windies never recovered.
The West Indies, who have not won a Test Down Under since 1997, are without all-rounders Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers, who have opted to play in lucrative T20 leagues instead.
