Labuschagne ton puts Australia in control vs WI

PERTH: 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 on Wednesday.

The hosts reached an ominous 293/2 at stumps on Day 1 following captain Pat Cummins’ decision to bat in hot and dry conditions. The total was built on 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.

West Indies bowled with plenty of discipline, but the chances were few and far between. After getting the early wicket of Warner, they had to toil for hours to bag another, with Khawaja compiling 65.

Labuschagne and Khawaja had to work hard against economical bowling in the opening session, but they accelerated after the break with Labuschagne bringing up his 50 with a three off Jason Holder.

A faultless Khawaja, who has been a rock at the top of the order this year, soon followed, cracking spinner Roston Chase for four and then a single to reach his 18th half-century in his 52nd Test. Khawaja had scored four Test centuries and reached the 90s twice in the last 12 months, with more glory beckoning. But he was undone by a beautiful delivery from Mayers, which trimmed the outside edge of his bat and was an easy take for Da Silva.

Undeterred, Labuschagne powered to three figures from 192 balls, hitting the milestone with his 13th boundary, off Seales. Smith has reverted to a more orthodox batting style which saw him score 94 and an unbeaten 80 in Australia’s recent ODI series against England, and he again looked in good nick.

Wearing black armbands to mourn former West Indies wicketkeeper David Murray, who died last week, the visitors kept Warner and Khawaja in check in the opening overs. Brief scores: Aus 293/2 (U Khawaja 65, M Labuschagne 154*; J Seales 1/63, K Mayers 1/24) vs WI at stumps on Day 1