Pattinson spearheads Australia to innings win

Australian paceman James Pattinson holds the ball after taking five West Indies wickets on the third day of the first cricket Test match in Hobart on December 12, 2015. AFP

Recalled paceman James Pattinson claimed five wickets as the West Indies succumbed to a dispiriting innings and 212-run loss to Australia on the third day of the first Test in Hobart on Saturday.

Pattinson, playing in his first Test since March last year after recovering from back and hamstring issues, spearheaded the Australian assault to rip apart the threadbare Windies batting.

The hapless Caribbean tourists were sent back in by Australia skipper Steve Smith after being dismissed for 223 in the first innings to trail the home side by 360 runs.

The West Indies went into freefall in their second innings, confirming fears about their competitiveness ahead of the remaining Melbourne and Sydney Tests. It was a triumph for Pattinson, who returned to the Australian side for injured pace spearhead Mitchell Starc and justified his recall after going wicketless for 68 bowling in the West Indies first innings.

"It was a clinical performance," Smith said. "It was 121-3 at one point and the game was in the balance and we were able to put on a big partnership between Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh that really changed the course of the match.

(AFP)