Windsor Park, Dominica
Day One
Australia 7 for 212
Warner 50, Watson 41, Starc 24*
Shillingford 4 for 77
With Australia having retained the Frank Worrell Trophy, the concluding Test match of the series appeared to be a relative formality. However, many questions lingered. Australia’s top order had not yet settled. Australia’s bowlers, however formidable, were proving mortal in the face of stress and strain which was resulting in a high injury rate. The West Indies batting had proven to be prone to collapse throughout the opening two Tests, though there was enough resolve to suggest that this top 6 was worth persevering with. The West Indian bowling attack, mixing pace with spin, was showing a formidability not seen for some time.
The Third Test opened with the newly installed opening pair of Ed Cowan and David Warner needing runs. Cowan went early for 1, trapped in front by the returning Ravi Rampaul. Watson and Warner steadied, taking the score to 84, before Watson departed for a studious 41. Runs were tough to come by, which continued the trend of slow scoring in this series. The normally free scoring Warner was palying a circumspect innings, while Ponting grafted out a steady 23. Australia lost consistent wickets, with no playing really able to capitalise on their starts. Of the top 5 batsmen, only Cowan failed to make it into the 20s, however only Warner managed a half century, losing his wicket to offspin bowler Shane Shillingford for an even 50.
Shillingford proceeded to run through the Australian batting, removing Ponting, Clarke and Hussey cheaply. Before long, Australia were 7 for 169 and in a fair degree of trouble. Mitchell Starc, returning to the Test side with injuries to Siddle and Pattinson, played possibly the most fluent innings of the day, with a cameo of 24 not out which saw Australia through to stumps.
Australian Cricket News 