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| Sunday, 20 November 2005 |
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Lara stands between another heavy Windies' Test defeat HOBART, Australia, Nov 19 (AFP) - The West Indies were looking to their champion batsman Brian Lara to save them from another crushing loss to Australia in the second cricket Test at Bellerive Oval here Saturday. Lara, who has struggled for form in the lopsided series, was unbeaten on 18 - seven runs from overtaking Australian Steve Waugh as the second all-time Test runscorer - when rain forced an end to the third day. The West Indies at 82 for four were still 175 runs from making Australia bat a second time coming after their 379-run pummelling in the first Gabba Test. Lara has now scored 10,921 Test runs but he carries a significant burden on Sunday's fourth day to prevent another substantial defeat for the once-great Carribean team. Yet again the Windies' top-six batsmen failed to provide the platform for their team. Vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan played a rash shot at Brett Lee well outside off-stump in the first over after a rain-break and was pouched by Adam Gilchrist for 32. Skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul followed in a similar mode of dismissal for 10, leaving his side in trouble at 76 for four just before rain hit the ground. The West Indies lost both opening batsmen to Glenn McGrath in the eight overs to tea. McGrath bowled Chris Gayle with a yorker with the fourth ball of his opening over and then removed Devon Smith three balls before tea, caught at second slip for eight. Brad Hodge scored an assured 60 in his debut Test innings as Australia were dismissed for 406 off 109.4 overs. Hodge looked in sweet touch as he raised his maiden Test half-century with wickets clattering around him as the West Indian bowlers enjoyed one of their best sessions in the series. The Australians, looking impregnable at the start of the third day on 256 for one, crumbled losing nine wickets for 150. |
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