West Indies open batsman Adrian Barath
celebrates his century on debut, in the
open Test match against Australia in the
First Test at Brisbane on Friday. He
scored 104 runs.

BRISBANE—Adrian Barath rewrote the record books becoming the youngest West Indies player to score a Test century but the Caribbean side imploded spectacularly on the third day of the opening Test against Australia, staggering to a painful innings and 65-run defeat at the Gabba yesterday. The diminutive right-hander unleashed a scintillating 104 but the innings proved in vain as the Windies capitulated for 187 in their second innings, after being forced to follow on by 252 runs. At 19 years, 226 days old, Barath eclipsed the 79-year-old record held by the legendary George Headley who was exactly a year older when he battered an England attack to reach three figures in Bridgetown in 1930. Barath also inducted himself into the pantheon of greats to have scored a century on debut, joining the likes of Headley, Lawrence Rowe and Gordon Greenidge as the 11th West Indies batsman to achieve the feat.

Oozing confidence even as his teammates buckled under the Aussie pressure, Barath stroked 20 glorious boundaries off 138 balls in a breathtaking innings that lasted a shade over three hours before he was lbw late in the evening with his side sliding towards defeat. Showing a penchant for the off-side, he was severe on anything fractionally loose and cut and drove with an audacity and style that betrayed his maturity. The opener reached his maiden Test half-century with a daring uppercut for four off fast bowler Peter Siddle and raised a deserved century with a full-blooded square drive off medium pacer Shane Watson. “I just feel really great. This is better than a dream,” Barath beamed. “It is a privilege to play for West Indies against Australia in Australia. It was really emotional for me, very exciting and I enjoyed every minute of it.”

He was the only bright spot in the Windies batting, however, as it again collapsed spinelessly in the face of disciplined Australian bowling led by seamer Ben Hilfenhaus who finished with three for 20. Only Dwayne Bravo with 23 showed any resistance and he was only one of four batsmen to reach double figures. He and Barath engineered a stay of execution for West Indies with a crucial stand of 66 for the fourth wicket after the tourists had stumbled to 39 for three thanks to Hilfenhaus’ opening salvo. For the second time in the match, captain Chris Gayle was the first to fall, leg before wicket to the tall 26-year-old Tasmanian for one with the score on six in the third over of the innings after lunch. Also for the second time in the match, Gayle challenged the decision but it was yet again upheld by the third umpire. Travis Dowlin, the top scorer in the first innings, did not have the same fortunes the second time around and was bowled for four after being cramped for room on the back foot at 18 for two.

West Indies suffered their biggest blow, however, when they lost Shivnarine Chanderpaul to an uncharacteristically loose stroke. Having scratched around for 14 balls over two, the left-hander essayed a hook at a short ball and was caught by Simon Katich running around from short mid wicket to square leg. It was left to Barath, in partnership with Bravo, to hold up Australia’s advance. Well organised in defence and free flowing in attack, Barath entertained the small crowd while reducing his senior partner to the role of spectator. He was fluent in his stroke-play and never showed any signs of nerves and he cantered into the 90s with a disdainful pull through square for four off Mitchell Johnson off the first ball of an over from the left-arm seamer. Barath edged the fourth ball of the over through the vacant gully for another boundary and though he managed just a single from the next nine deliveries, he eventually reached his land mark in style.

Bravo’s dismissal in the final over before tea, recklessly hooking part-time bowler Michael Hussey to Hilfenhaus at backward square leg at 105 for four, signalled the death knell for West Indies and their end came swiftly as they lost their last six wickets for 82 runs. Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz (2-40) and Watson (2-44) finished with two wickets apiece. Earlier, West Indies were bowled out for 228 after they resumed the day at 134 for five in their first innings, still 346 runs adrift of Australia. They appeared up for the fight early in the morning session as Dowlin stroked 62 and Denesh Ramdin hammered 54 to take the attack to Australia as they extended their sixth wicket stand to 78 with a positive approach. But the tourists lost their last five wickets for 94 runs to be bowled out 10  minutes before lunch as Hauritz captured three for 17 and Johnson claimed, three for 75 to undermine the innings. Continuing from his overnight 40, Dowlin played with a calm head and a straight bat, facing 150 balls in just under four hours at the crease while Ramdin needed just 55 balls for his 54 in an innings laced with nine attractive fours, after resuming on 22. (CMC)