The West Indies’ torturous tour of Australia resumed on Thursday with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head proving unstoppable on day one of the second Test.
Having won the toss, Australia again dominated a depleted West Indies attack at Adelaide Oval, reaching stumps at 3-330 from 89 overs with Marnus Labuschagne (120*) and Travis Head (114*) unbeaten.
On the day he was anointed as the world’s No.1 Test batter, Labuschagne hit his third-consecutive century of the summer to anchor another ruthless Australian first innings.
Watch Australia v West Indies. Every test match live and ad-break in play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
NEW FOLLOW-ON PODCAST – Aussie quick ‘perfect’ for pink ball; how Warner can end Test drought
Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Cummins’ take on the Warner vs. CA saga | 00:46
He was brilliantly supported by local hero Head, who came to the crease at 3-131 after the surprise loss of Steve Smith for a duck, and Usman Khawaja for 62.
Head – who made 99 in the first Test – then produced another trademark counter-attacking knock, reaching three figures late in the night to complete the ultimate redemption act.
Meanwhile, West Indies heads dropped with the tourists out of ideas and, seemingly, out of fight.
“I just get the feeling that the fielding part of the West Indies, they’re not giving the right message,” Brian Lara said on Fox Cricket after they took the second new ball.
“The ball is coming in, it’s a brand new ball, and they’re looking like they’d rather be inside.”
Indeed, centuries to both Labuschagne and Head felt like forgone conclusions in the final session with the West Indies struggling to get the ball to talk.
Labuschagne reached three figures in 187 balls, bringing up his 10th Test ton with a slash to the point boundary.
MORE CRICKET NEWS
‘YOU CAN HEAR HIS VOICE’: Ricky Ponting’s heartbreaking tribute to Shane Warne
‘UNDERSTANDABLY FLAT’: Aussie star sidelined with same injury that derailed Ashes
LOCKED: Australia face India at world’s biggest stadium as series fixtures confirmed
‘POORLY EXECUTED’: CA clammed for ‘botched’ process after Warner statement
And while he was unusually lucky in Perth to bring up both of his centuries, there could be no criticising what was a virtually chanceless innings.
“That’s a great innings,” Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket. “There’s no luck with that innings. It’s been a pure class No.3 Test hundred.”
Rod Marsh honoured at Adelaide Oval | 00:39
But the most special part of day one came with just 18 minutes left, when Head joined Labuschagne in raising the bat.
Many of the 24,449 in attendance had stayed on to watch what would become the first Test century scored by a South Australian at the Adelaide Oval since Greg Blewett in January 1995.
Get all the latest cricket news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
The moment clearly wasn’t lost on Head who soaked it in, embracing Labuschagne before saluting all parts of his home ground.
Head’s century came off just 125 balls and silenced the West Indies, who had hoped to wrestle some momentum from a more level middle session.
Earlier, David Warner fell to Alzarri Joseph inside the first session for 21.
Australia then reached 1-129 before Khawaja was narrowly deemed lbw to Devon Thomas for 62, while Smith – who made 220 runs without being dismissed in Perth – was caught and bowled by Jason Holder for a duck.
Play continues on Friday from 3pm AEDT.
RELIVE DAY 1 OF THE SECOND TEST LIVE BELOW. If you can’t see the blog click HERE
Australian XI
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
West Indies squad XI
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shamarh Brooks, Jermaine Blackwood, Devon Thomas, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Anderson Phillip, Marquino Mindley
Recent form (most recent first)
Australia WLWWD
West Indies LWWWD