SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Enterprising all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite struck his second consecutive half-century to steal his piece of history but rain wrecked the second day of the third and final Test, allowing only 11.2 overs at the Sydney Cricket Ground here yesterday.
In the time available, West Indies made their way to 248 for seven as they continued their admirable fightback, with Brathwaite stroking his way to an entertaining 69.
Denesh Ramdin was unbeaten on 30 and partnered by Kemar Roach who was yet to score, when the rains arrived in mid-afternoon to force a third stoppage which ended play for the day.
Brathwaite, however, made the most of the play available producing yet another excellent lower order knock to help bolster the Windies innings.
Resuming the day on 35 with West Indies on 207 for six, the 27-year-old brought up his second half-century in his second Test, to become only the third player batting at number eight or lower, to score half-centuries in their opening two Tests.
Brathwaite faced a mere 71 balls and counted six fours and four sixes as he dominated an 87-run, seventh wicket partnership with Ramdin.
A delayed start because of a wet outfield followed by two breaks for rain, limited the first session to just four overs with West Indies crawling to lunch at 216 for six.
Unbeaten on 43, Brathwaite raised the tempo on resumption and reached a run-a-ball half-century in the third over when he stroked pacer James Pattinson through point for four.
Brathwaite ripped into Pattinson in the right-armer’s next over, lofting him over extra cover for six and then following up with an audacious whip over the ropes at deep backward square. However, Pattinson gained revenge in his following over, producing one that swung at pace to square up Brathwaite and rattle his stumps.
Ramdin, who resumed the day on 23, faced another 31 deliveries but was content to watch Brathwaite’s fireworks.
Pattinson has so far claimed two for 67 while off-spinner Nathan Lyon has picked up two for 78.
Scoreboard
WEST INDIES 1st innings
(overnight 207 for six)
K Brathwaite c Smith b Lyon 85
S Hope c wkp Nevill b Hazlewood 9
DM Bravo c Khawaja b Pattinson 33
M Samuels run out 4
J Blackwood b Lyon 10
+D Ramdin not out 30
*J Holder c Burns b O’Keefe 1
C Brathwaite b Pattinson 69
K Roach not out 1
Extras (b5, lb1, nb1) 7
TOTAL (7 wkts, 86.2 overs) 248
To bat: J Taylor, J Warrican.
Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Hope), 2-104 (Bravo), 3-115 (Samuels), 4-131 (Blackwood), 5-158 (K Brathwaite), 6-159 (Holder), 7-246 (C Brathwaite)
Bowling: Hazlewood 15.2-5-37-2, Pattinson 16-3-67-2 (nb1), Lyon 35-12-78-2, Marsh 4-1-15-0, O’Keefe 16-5-45-1.
AUSTRALIA – *S Smith, D Warner, J Burns, U Khawaja, A Voges, M Marsh, +P Nevill, S O’Keefe, J Pattinson, J Hazlewood, N Lyon.
Toss: West Indies.
Umpires: C Gaffaney, I Gould; TV – M Erasmus.