WEST INDIES took Australia took to the dying stages but still lost the first Digicel Test by three wickets at Kensington Oval on Wednesday.
Set 192 in 61 overs after wrapping up the hosts’ second innings for 148 in the pre-lunch session, Australia were restricted the second period before accelerating after tea to win in the first of the final 15 overs in fading light just before 5:45 p.m.
Narsingh Deonarine, picked more for his batting, gave West Indies hope by grabbing four wickets, including that of top-scorer Shane Watson (52) as Australia slipped from 106 for one to 140 for five.
Mike Hussey (32) and Matt Wade (18) steadied Australia in a sixth wicket partnership of 37 before both were dismissed when the match looked to be out of West Indies’ reach.
The tourists scrambled the winning run when an appeal for a run out was turned down.
Deonarine finished with four for 53 from 11 overs, while pacer Kemar Roach, who had good all-round day, took two for 45 in 12 overs.
Earlier, Roach made 25 in helping West Indies extend their overnight total of 71 for five.
The second Test starts on Sunday at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.
Please see full story in Thursday’s DAILY NATION.
