Rare feat of single and double tons in one test

Remarkable effort by Labuschagne for Australia as Windies fight back in Perth

Marnus Labuschagne hit an unbeaten 104 to add to his first innings of 204 to become the third Australian with single and double centuries in a cricket test as Australia set the West Indies an unlikely 498 runs to win in Perth.

West Indies showed fight to be 192 for three in their second innings yesterday, needing another 306 runs for what would be a sensational victory in the first test.

Australia earlier declared on 182 for two at lunch with Labuschagne and Steve Smith 20 not out after having resumed the fourth day on 29 for one. The home side scored 153 runs in the session in just 26 overs.

The 81-run stand between Labuschagne and Smith followed their 251-run third-wicket stand in the first innings where Smith also scored an unbeaten 200.

The only other Australians to score a century and double century in a test were Greg Chappell and Doug Walters against New Zealand and the West Indies, respectively.

The home side compiled a formidable 598 for four declared in their first innings and dismissed the West Indies for 283.

West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite led the resistance in the second innings with a fighting unbeaten 101, his 11th ton in 80 tests, and laid the platform with debutant opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul (45) in a 116-run opening stand.

During the innings Brathwaite became the 13th West Indies batter to complete 5,000 test runs. He faced 166 balls and hit 11 fours, and will resume today with Kyle Mayers, who is yet to score.

This innings was special for Brathwaite. “For me it means everything,” he said. “Growing up as a youngster watching West Indies play ... Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes, Brian Lara, it means everything.

“Australia are No 1. This is up there. As a leader I want to lead from the front.”

Brathwaite has faith in his side saving the test – or even winning it. “We know it is tough playing test cricket in Australia. For us it’s all about fighting. That’s the belief. It all starts from the first over. We don’t want to think too far ahead.

“Australia are going to come hard at us so it is important we start [today] extremely well,” Brathwaite said.

In Rawalpindi, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam became the seventh batsman to smash a century on day three of a veritable runfest in the opening test against England.

After an English quartet hammered hundreds on Friday, a trio of home batters helped themselves to centuries to power Pakistan to 499 for seven.

When bad light stopped play yesterday, Pakistan were still 158 behind England’s massive first innings total of 657.