Smith and Labuschagne rack up double centuries on milestone day for Australia

Hosts declare on 598-4 with West Indies 74-0 in replyFormer captain also reaches Bradman mark of 29 tons

It is a matter of some amusement that Marnus Labuschagne could make a Test double century and still end up as part of a Steve Smith day. So it goes playing alongside somebody whose career is already part legend. Australia’s number three reached the milestone first, taking 204 runs from the West Indies at Perth before finally nicking the part-time spin of Kraigg Braithwaite in the last over before lunch on the second day. But Smith took over the match as his canvas, moving from 114 to an even 200 not out, one ball before Brathwaite bowled Travis Head on 99 and Australia declared on 598 for four. West Indies were 74 for none at the close.

Labuschagne had been indefatigable in the limelight after his first day, happily doing a series of boundary-line interviews, a long press conference, and backing up with more interviews at throwdowns the following morning on an unusually cool and cloudy Perth day. Resuming on 154, with Australia 293 for two, he had the energy to help Smith with an all-run four in the first over. He had luck when miscuing Kyle Mayers and Jason Holder, he got through Alzarri Joseph, and he saw too much middling spin from Roston Chase while young quick Jayden Seales was barely seen. Whether it was the recent milestone or the impending break, Labuschagne lost concentration for just long enough to end his extended stay. The score was 402 for three, the partnership 251.

Continue reading...