Australia fights back

Press, 6 March 1984, Page 40

Australia fights back

NZPA-AAP Georgetown, Guyana

The Australian bowlers were magnificent yesterday as they gave the tourists the ascendancy over the West Indies in the first test at the Bourda Ground, in Georgetown.

First Geoff Lawson, and later Rodney Hogg, Tom Hogan and Terry Aiderman, took prize wickets as the West Indians battled unsuccessfully to reach Australia’s first innings total of 279.

The West Indies were all out 32 minutes before stumps for 230, giving Australia a first innings lead of 49. At stumps, Australia was none for 23 in its second innings, giving the tourists a

72-run lead.

The opener, Kepler Wessels, is on 11 and Steve Smith is on 5, with seven extras.

Lawson, the villain of the piece on Sunday, after an unsavoury incident involving the umpire, David Narine, started the fightback with a superb eight-over spell from the start of play. The West Indies had resumed at 20 for none and looked set to take a commanding first innings lead with their vast array of batting talent, but at tea, with five wickets down for 167, it was obvious they were going to have a battle on their hands to reach the Australian total.

Lawson removed Gordon Greenidge (16) and Richie Richardson (19) with two great deliveries in his first spell. Before the start of play, Lawson had apologised to Mr Narine for snatching his hat after having an lbw appeal turned down. But Viv Richards was the scalp the Australians wanted and Hogg delivered it just before lunch. The champion batsman had made only eight when he aimed a hook at a bouncer and the ball flew through to the wicket-keeper, Wayne Phillips. Hogan was the most successful bowler with four for 56, Lawson took three for 59, Hogg two for 44, and Aiderman one for 64.