Labuschagne hits 154 as Australia take control against WI

Marnus Labuschagne cracked a masterful unbeaten 154 while Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith hit 50s as a dominant Australia took control of the opening Test against the West Indies at Perth Stadium yesterday.

The hosts reached an ominous 293-2 at stumps on day one following captain Pat Cummins’decision to bat in hot and dry conditions.

The total was built off the back of a 142-run stand between Labuschagne and Khawaja,who came together after David Warner was out for five, then an unbeaten 142 with Smith. A focused Labuschagne,who survived chances on 75 and 137,brought up his eighth century in his 29th Test and with the in-form Smith unbeaten on 59 the omens are not good for the visitors, who have failed to win a Test in Australia for 25 years.

“When you finish the day at around 300 for 2,you feel good.it was nice to build partnerships throughout the day,”said Labuschagne.

“Scoring a Test hundred any time is amazing,so to be able to do it in the first Test of the summer can hopefully set you up for this game, and also the summer.

The West Indies bowled with plenty of discipline in front of just 10,929 spectators,but the chances were few and far between.

After getting the early wicket of Warner for five, they had to toil for hours in the heat to bag another,with Khawaja compiling 65 before edging Kyle Mayers to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva just before lunch. Windies had to work hard in the opening session of the first Test between the sides for nearly seven years, reaching 72-1 at lunch.