Melbourne Test: Australia Defeat West Indies By 177 Runs, Take Unbeatable 2-0 Lead In Series

#Australia : #MCG Allrounder Mitchell Marsh claimed four wickets as Australia broke up a defiant West Indies second innings to claim a 177-run win Tuesday in the second test to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy.

Jason Holder and Denesh Ramdin both scored half centuries and shared an aggressive 100-run partnership to highlight a gritty batting performance for the West Indies after Australia declared on its overnight score of 179-3.
Chasing the unlikely target of 460, the West Indies batted patiently in the early stages and went to tea on 146-4. The test seemed destined for a fifth day, but Marsh (4-61) sparked a collapse midway through the evening session when he had Ramdin caught behind for 59.
Offspinner Nathan Lyon took a wicket in each session to finish with figures of 3-85 as the West Indies were bowled out for 282.
After Kraigg Brathwaite (31) provided the only wicket of the morning session, the Australian bowlers took three hard-fought wickets after lunch.
Peter Siddle had Darren Bravo caught behind for 21 with a fullish outswinging delivery and Rajendra Chandrika opened up and played his shots before falling lbw to James Pattinson for a test career-best 37.
Marlon Samuels, who took 16 balls to get off the mark, was caught behind for 19 off Marsh.
Lyon claimed his second dismissal in the second over after tea when he trapped Jermaine Blackwood lbw for 20, before Ramdin and Holder combined to frustrate the Australian attack.
Marsh finally broke through with the wicket of Ramdin (59) who smashed nine boundaries from his 90 balls.
Lyon struck again to dismiss Carlos Brathwaite for 2 when his in-swinging delivery brushed the top of off-stump to dislodge the bail and Jason Holder ended his gutsy innings at 68 when he spooned a Marsh ball to Josh Hazlewood at mid-off.
Kemar Roach was out three balls later for 11, caught at third slip by David Warner off Pattinson.
Holder encapsulated the West Indies’ defiance and even raised hopes of an unlikely victory push, hitting seven boundaries and punishing two loose Lyon deliveries for six, the first hoisted over mid-wicket deep into the stands.
Ramdin and Holder held the Australians at bay with a robust partnership until Ramdin was caught behind by Peter Nevill off Marsh.
He shared in a 100-run stand with Holder to resist the Aussies for 21 overs. It was the first century partnership of the series for the embattled Windies.
“I’m obviously proud of the way the guys showed some fight in this game,” Holder said.
“I’m still disappointed we didn’t put up a better fight but still credit to the way the guys played, especially Darren Bravo in the first innings and Denesh Ramdin in the second innings. I thought the bowlers tried (too).”
“A better effort in this game.”
The third and final test begins Sunday in Sydney. by Agencies