AUS VS WI 2ND TEST

Right then, that is all we have from this fascinating Test series of the West Indies tour of Australia. Steven Smith lifts up the trophy and the Aussies clean sweep the series 2-0. West Indies now have some rest for a while but the Aussies have their next assignment in place with a Test series lined up against South Africa. It starts on 17th December at 5:50 am IST (12:20 am GMT) which will be played The Gabba, Brisbane. But as you know, our build-up begins much earlier so do join us for the same. Till then, goodbye and cheers!

Steven Smith, the victorious captain is in for a chat. He says that it was a nice toss to win and praises the batters for their effort on Day 1. Informs everyone is contributing when they need to. They have a lot of trust among eachother and that helps a lot. Says Marnus Labuschagne works really hard in the nets and is really adaptable. Hence it is not surprising to see him play really well. Mentions that it is great to see Michael Neser to come in and have a great impact as well. Says that there is a lot of competition for spots in the team and this is what makes it more exciting. Mentions that South Africa present a really good challenge for them and they surely need to bring their A-game against the Proteas.. Ends by saying that he is surely enjoying the captaincy.

Kraigg Brathwaite, the skipper of West Indies says that it is disappointing for sure. Says that for the first game they showed some fight but in the second they were outplayed. Adds that they had some injury concerns which had a hand in this big defeat and they need to continue to work hard. Applauds Tagenarine Chanderpaul and says that he looks like a bright future for West Indies cricket. Ends by saying that the fans will like to see them win and they will keep on working for that.

Marnus Labuschagne wins the Player of the Series for racking up more than 500 runs over two matches. He says that it nice to be going through a nice patch with scoring aplenty and the teams winning run as well. Adds that at the moment they have already started focusing on the future series but he really enjoyed to bat over this one. Mentions, it takes some time to find the rhythm in a pink-ball game but likes how it is going for him. Adds that he just focuses on being in the moment and do well for the team. Informs he is surely looking forward to the next challenge against South Africa.

The local boy, Travis Head is adjudged as the Man of the Match for his incredible innings of 175 runs. He says that it was a brilliant week and he is looking forward to the next week. Adds that it is a beautiful feeling and he did his things well. Praises Marnus Labuschagne for his excellent innings. Ends by saying that he feels lucky to play here and the credit goes to the entire team for winning this one.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Mitchell Starc comes in for a quick chat. He says it was a great team effort and everyone contributed to the victory. Adds that there were some individual efforts to appreciate as well and Pat Cummins is recovering and he will join them soon. Further says that Steven Smith is doing good in what he does he says that he just loves to watch Marnus Labuschagne bat and he does it great.

In the third innings, Australia came in with an intent of attacking the bowlers from the word go. They envisioned to get the target over 500 but it did not go as per their plan as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually declared at 199/6. Which meant that West Indies had a steep target to climb which read 497. It was Alzarri Joseph who managed to put some batters under pressure with his seam bowling. During the chase, West Indies were on the back foot straightaway as they were teetering at 21/4. Later, it took Australia just a single session on Day 4 to take the remaining wickets in hand and bowl out West Indies for just 77 runs to record an outstanding victory. Australia used only 4 bowlers during the chase - Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon. Wherein the seamers returned with three wickets each and Lyon picked a sole wicket.

West Indies though struggled to get going with the blade. Only Tagenarine Chanderpaul stood out for them with 47 in their first innings. West Indies surely need some thinking to do with their batting combination. Apart from the opener, it was Anderson Phillip's 43 that got them to 214 but it was way too short than what the Aussies managed to post on the board. It was the GOAT, Nathan Lyon who stood out with the ball for the hosts with his three-fer.

Looking back at how things went down - It was Australia that decided to bat first and took the game away from the visitors in the first innings itself as they scored a mammoth total of 511. Usman Khawaja set the tone with the blade up top. Later, it was a special knock from Marnus Labuschagne (163) and Travis Head (175). Both fell agonisingly short of their double ton but nonetheless the damage was already done. It was Alex Carey who played a brisk knock of 41 runs to help his side cross the 500-run mark. West Indies had to toil hard and found it difficult to put the pressure on the opposition.

Coming into Day 4, Australia needed only 6 wickets to seal the victory and boy they did not waste any time at all. It was Mitchell Starc who opened the floodgates with two quick wickets of Devon Thomas and Jason Holder. Later, it was the brilliance of Alex Carey behind the sticks and the captaincy of Steven Smith that made sure Australia get closer to the finish line quickly. The Aussies were finding it difficult to break the gritty stand of Chase and Da Silva, but once the stand was broken, Australia took out the tail in a jiffy.

That was too easy for the Aussies and they have wrapped up the series 2-0! The Aussies have certainly outclassed the visitors on both the Test matches played over the series. Australia were right on the front foot from the first ball on Day 4.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Michael Neser walks back with a three-fer. Incredible performance by the Aussies. It is a length ball, on fourth stump. Marquino Mindley gets a thick outside edge. Alex Carey dives to his right behind the sticks and takes a stunning one-handed catch. Australia win the game by 419 runs.

A single now as this is driven to covers.

Woah! Touch fuller, wide of off. Anderson Phillip looks to leave it alone but is a bit late and gets a nick as he tries to pull his blade out of the way.

A length ball, on top of off. Anderson Phillip dead bats it.

Good length, on the pads, Anderson Phillip blocks it out.