Australia wins by 164 runs against West Indies

Perth, The Gulf Observer: Australian Off Spinner Nathan Lyon bowled Australia to a 164 runs win in the opening cricket test against the West Indies to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy at the Perth Stadium on Sunday.

Lyon claimed 6-128 as the West Indies were all out for 333 before tea on the final day. It was Lyon’s 21st five-wicket haul in his 111th test.

Lyon’s 446 test wickets tally has moved him to eighth amongst all-time wicket-takers and behind fellow Australians Shane Warne (708 wickets in 145 tests) and Glenn McGrath (563 in 124) who are second and sixth respectively.

“Lyon loves bowling here and it was a fantastic all-round performance,” captain Pat Cummins said. “(He) was fantastic. There was not a lot on offer, but he still found a way.”

Australian Off Spinner Nathan Lyon bowled Australia to a 164 runs win

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite top scored for the visitors with an obdurate 110, and a late order rally by Roston Chase and Alzarri Joseph prevented a capitulation that had looked likely after the visitors slumped to 233-7 in the space of 17 overs in the morning.

Resuming on 257-7 after the lunch break the West Indies batted for another 85 minutes before Lyon had Chase caught by Mitchell Starc in the outfield, and bowled No.11 Kemar Roach (0) with his next ball.

Chase hit a six and three fours off 72 balls in occupying the crease in two frustrating hours for the Australians, who were without Pat Cummins in its bowling attack due to the skipper’s thigh complaint preventing him from taking the ball.

“I’ll be fit for Adelaide. I had a tight quad,” Cummins said. “Obviously, I have to go through a fitness test, and a bowling session, but I am good to go.”

Earlier, West Indies lost the overnight pair of Brathwaite and Kyle Mayers (10) in the first hour of the day and managed only 24 runs in 15 overs as Australia strangled West Indies’ progress.

After Mayers had edged a Lyon delivery that spun across him to Steve Smith at slip, the spinner got a delivery to turn sharply and beat Brathwaite all-ends-up to claim the prized-wicket.