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Labuschagne, Head slam centuries vs WI

AFP . Adelaide
09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 | Update: 09 Dec 2022 10:25:58
Labuschagne, Head slam centuries vs WI
Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne (R) celebrates scoring his century on the first day of their second Test against West Indies in Adelaide on Thursday – AFP Photo

Run machine Marnus Labuschagne belted a third successive Test century and Travis Head also made a ton Thursday as Australia seized control on day one of the pink-ball second Test against an injury-hit West Indies.

Consistent number three Labuschagne smacked 204 then 104 not out at the first Test in Perth to overtake England’s Joe Root this week as the world’s top-ranked Test batsman.

And he carried that form to Adelaide with a patient unbeaten 120 to again torment the Caribbean team, as the hosts amassed 330-3 by stumps.

The chanceless Head was not out 114, relieved at converting to three figures after he was out for 99 in the first Test. 

The visitors, who are missing three first-choice bowlers, enjoyed some success on a flat track that offered little for the fast bowlers, removing David Warner (21), Usman Khawaja (62), and captain Steve Smith for a duck.

Khawaja surpassed 1,000 Test runs for the year in his knock, becoming only the third man in 2022 to hit the landmark after Root and fellow Englishman Jonny Bairstow, who have both played more matches.

He departed lbw to debutant Devon Thomas, who earned his first Test wicket.

Like Labuschagne, Smith smacked 200 in Perth but he only lasted eight balls, caught and bowled by Jason Holder, while Warner nicked Alzarri Joseph to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva.

The home side, who have won every day-night Test they have contested, including six-from-six in Adelaide, are looking to wrap up the two-match series after winning the opener by 164 runs.

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