The master and his apprentice strode more deeply into history as Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne overwhelmed the West Indies with double centuries on the second day of the first Test at Perth Stadium.
With the match dead as a contest, Labuschagne (204) marched into the dual double century club and Smith (200 not out) joined Don Bradman on 29 Test centuries. Only Ricky Ponting (41), Steve Waugh (32) and Hayden (30) are ahead of him with hundreds for Australia.
Then Travis Head joined the party, chopping a ball into his stumps for 99 before Pat Cummins declared at 4-598, the highest score by Australia against the West Indies in Perth.
The West Indies highlighted how hard the Australians will be forced to work for victory on the true pitch, going to stumps at 0-74. Debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of West Indian great Shivnarine, was 47 and captain Kraigg Brathwaite 18.
Smith, 33, continues to stamp himself as the best since Bradman. Smith’s 29 centuries came in 155 innings. Only Bradman, of course, scored his more quickly among any of the world’s batsmen, taking just 80 innings.
Smith’s fourth double century made him a gold member of the multiple double ton club Labuschagne had joined earlier. Other Australian gold members are Bradman (12), Ricky Ponting (6), Greg Chappell (4) and Michael Clarke (4).
Steve Smith celebrates his double century – the fourth of his Test career.Credit:Getty
The joy that the small but vocal crowd of 8695 expressed watching the record books being rewritten in the cavernous arena came as the West Indies used a one-day field for much of the afternoon, with five fieldsmen on the boundary in a futile attempt to contain the damage.
There will be relief among administrators that this series is only two Tests, but regret that the West Indies are coming back for Test cricket again next season, such are the vagaries of the International Cricket Council’s future tours program. Even if the West Indies put up a fight with the bat they’re a long way from their first victory over Australia since 2003.
Labuschagne and Smith, Australia’s hyperactive brothers, have toned down their tweaking and twerking in the same way Smith has eliminated his shuffle at the crease in a more concerned attempt to ensure all their efforts goes into their batting. It’s working.
The pair added 251 for the third wicket, the best against the West Indies since Ricky Ponting and Darren Lehmann put on a record 315 in Port of Spain 20 years ago.
Marnus Labuschagne on his way to 204 against the West Indies in Perth on Thursday.Credit:Getty
Labuschagne became the 17th Australian to score at least two double centuries. Given his age, 28, and thirst for runs it would be no surprise to see him climb further up that illustrious list.
Few batsmen who have scored so many could have looked more distraught than Labuschagne when he was caught behind flicking at the very occasional off-spin of Brathwaite on the stroke of lunch.
Bent forward with his head on his left arm as it rested on his right arm holding the top of the bat, Labuschagne could not believe the rare opportunity he had so easily given away. His highest score is 215, Bradman’s highest score is 334, the highest made by an Australia is Matthew Hayden’s 380, also scored in Perth.
The possibilities were endless against a dispirited attack Labuschagne and Smith controlled so completely.
West Indies opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul is struck by a ball from Aussie quick Pat Cummins.Credit:Getty
This is just Smith’s third century in his last 31 innings since the 2019 Ashes, but his second hundred from his last three hits, suggesting the changes he made in Sri Lanka mid-year to simplify his footwork are bearing fruit.
After an unbeaten run a ball 80 in a one-day game at the Adelaide Oval a fortnight ago Smith claimed he had not batted better in six years.
Ponting was impressed.
“This has been a fantastic Test match hundred from Steve Smith,” Ponting said on Channel Seven. “He told us during the one dayers that things were different, things were going to change, ‘my technique’s better, I’ve never felt better’… and I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen him bat better.
“He has hit the middle of the bat. His decision-making has been very clear. His scoring all around the ground has been different than other seasons as well. Once again, the hard work is paying off.”
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