Australia complete series sweep with a crushing 419-run win
Lyon, Starc and Neser ran through a beleaguered West Indies to wrap up victory 30 minutes before the dinner break
Lyon, Starc and Neser ran through a beleaguered West Indies to wrap up victory 30 minutes before the dinner break
Scorer: M Venkat Raghav | Commentator: Alex Malcolm and Ekanth
"5 wickets in the match for Neser, 3 for Boland. Neser should get the nod for the Gabba seeing as it's his home ground." Yes, Tom, and that's when we will be back for the Australian summer as it heats up. South Africa's bowling promises to sizzle and their middle order seems meatier than it was in England. But for now, a dull and sadly, not surprising, tour for West Indies concludes. Lots of content here coming through on ESPNcricinfo though. Follow and revel in the cricket with us. For now, it's goodbye from the team here: me, Ekanth, my co-commentator, Alex Malcolm, Vishal Dikshit, and our scorers, M Venkat Raghav and Thilak Rama.
Steven Smith, Australia Captain: A nice toss to win. Boys batted well first day. Big partnerships set us up, and the bowlers were splendid as we continue to be undefeated in pink-ball Tests. Everyone in the batting unit is stepping up well. (On Marnus) He is going alright, isn't he? He works incredibly hard in the nets. He's very adaptible to situations. No reason why he wouldn't continue. (On Boland) He is a second-innings specialist. He was spectacular last evening, bowled well first innings too. Neser was spectacular, Starc continues to do what he has done. (On players coming through) That's what you want, keep challenging and get better. Gets exciting. (On the quartet getting to 200 wickets) I think they celebrated. Great to have four bowlers play for so long, understand each other so well. Exciting times for us. (On South Africa) They present a good challenge, are a good side. Their fast-bowling stiocks are strong. (On being asked if he's okay with returning the captaincy) A very quick 'Yes'
Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies Captain: Disappointing second game for sure. We showed some fight in the first. We lost a few guys to injury but did not play well. A good Test year but we have a lot to work on. As I said, we showed some fight and it proved we could spend time at the crease. We need to learn from their batters about leaving and how their bowlers bowled to their fields. Impressed but not surprised about Chanderpaul. I see him playing long at the top for sure. Support has been amazing. A lot of people came out at Perth, happy that people want to see West Indies do well. Sad to not do well in the second game but look forward to coming again in the future.
Marnus Labuschagne, POTS: It's nice to be going through a patch where I'm scoring and team is winning consistently. (On his 500+ run series) It's one of those things you look back at the end of your career to sink in. But right now, there's so much going on, you have to the next series to look forward. (On coming to Adelaide where conditions are different) It's nice to come back from success. You trust your game. I feel I don't have as much rhythm playing against the pink ball as it swings for longer. (On getting to 3000) It's similar to the one before, it hasn't sunk in. Nice to be living it. Hopefully will go well against South Africa. Home ground at the gabba. Will be fiery there.
Travis Head, POTM: I'll take 175 after missing out by one run last week. But it has been amazing. Look forward to 10-15 years and tell others what I did (laughs). (On the big partnership with Marnus) I let him do his thing and he let me do mine. I knew he would hold his ground there, so it was comfortable. (On his good recent form) Batting behind four good batters helps. Credit to them for being so good and consistent. The coaching staff and Cummins have been supportive which is nice
Mitchell Starc: Nice start to the summer, we get an extra day or two would be handy. But yeah, great individual and team performances. (On bowling without Cummins and Hazlewood) They made me do all the hard word again. But by reports, Pat will be on next week. We'll see how Josh is going. But Neser, Boland, and Morris have been brilliant and shown off the depth in our bowling. (On Boland's spell yesterday) It was the MCG all over again. The batters were giving him a hard time as he did not get wickets in the first innings but he was at his consistent best. (On Head and the batters) Welcomed him to the 99 club last week but he has been amazing. But the batters set up both games perfectly. Marnus with his big runs and Head too. Great start to the summer.
Murray: "Carey joins Haddin, Healy " Yes, his 6 catches equals the Australia's record for an innings, confirms Sampath
Carey's 9 catches in the match are only behind Gilchrist's 10 vs NZ in 2000
This is West Indies' biggest defeat ever by runs in Test cricket
Stats from Sampath: West Indies' 77 is their lowest total in Australia and their second lowest vs Australia in Test cricket.
JOYDEEP GILL: "Fun fact west Indies couldn't past marnus and head first inning score of 338 "
3:59pm: No surprises on the morning of Day 4 as Australia complete the drubbing and keep their perfect pink-ball record at home in tact. How and when were the only questions today as what, in terms of result, was pretty much confirmed. Starc ensured that it all happened in style and cocooned in skill. He held onto a fullish line and angled it away from Thomas consistently. After a few leaves, Thomas saw some width, went after it and nicked off. Holder got a pearler, arguably the ball of the series, nipping back in from around off to castle him. Then Carey was the star, with some stunning takes, to reward Boland and Neser - who were brilliant with their on-a-hanky lengths - with wickets. Lyon chipped in too. It was a complete performance that led to a clinical victory.
MJ Mindley c †Carey b Neser 0 (7m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Nis: "5 catches for carey in this innings and 8 in the match"
And what has been the lowest match aggregate by a player while still top scoring for his team in a Test?
South Africa have caused him more trouble than any other of his regular Test opponents
Lyon, Starc and Neser ran through a beleaguered West Indies to wrap up victory 30 minutes before the dinner break
While he was disappointed at the heavy defeat in Adelaide, he felt West Indies had had an encouraging year in Test cricket
"David served his time like I did. We know he's a leader around the group, and on and off the field he's doing a tremendous job"