Boland leaves WI in face of defeat

Scott Boland grabbed three wickets in an over to leave a rattled West Indies on 38-4 and facing a heavy defeat in the second Test Saturday as the world’s top-ranked team zeroed in on another victory to seal the series.

After the visitors were dismissed for 214 on day three of the pink-ball clash in Adelaide, in reply to the hosts’ 511-7 declared, Australia called time again at 199-6 in their second innings.

It left the Caribbean side needing 497 to win, but they meekly surrendered under the lights to the line and length of Boland, in the side in place of an injured Pat Cummins.

He removed Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks and Jermaine Blackwood in six sizzling balls without conceding a run -- two caught and one lbw -- to leave West Indian hopes in tatters. 

Boland, who ended with 3-9, last played in the Ashes campaign on home soil a year ago, snaring an incredible 6-7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, highlighting the depth of Australia’s bowling stocks.

Mitchell Starc then enticed a nick from Tagenarine Chanderpaul (17) with wicketkeeper Alex Carey collecting as they crawled to stumps, still 459 runs adrift, with Devon Thomas and Jason Holder at the crease.

“That was awesome. I thought I bowled well in the first innings but didn’t get any wickets there. Happy to get them here,” said Boland. 

“I tried to be fuller today than in the last few days. I feel I’ve been bowling well in Sheffield Shield cricket and try to keep it simple by hitting in the same areas.”

After the West Indies succumbed in their first innings on the cusp of the day’s first break, Australian skipper Steve Smith opted not to enforce the follow on.

Openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja made fast starts, but spinner Roston Chase halted their progress.

Labuschagne was finally undone by Anderson Phillip, caught at gully by Chase for 31, ending his two-Test series with 501 runs after a double century and two centuries.