After a lean spell Australia captain Ricky Ponting yet again stuck two fingers up at his critics with a magnificent 150 on day one of the Sabina Park Test match. The knock, his 12th of 150 or more and his 35th century now sees him just four behind Sachin Tendulkar.
Ponting who had called correctly at the toss elected to bat and the decision appeared to backfire on him following two quick wickets from Fidel Edwards, the only bowler to offer any initial threat. Katich failed after promising so much in the lead up to the Test as did Phil Jacques.
It was clear that they missed Hayden from the top order with an Achilles injury (likely to miss the whole series) and following a nervy start it was left to Mr Cricket (56) and Ricky Ponting to steady the rocky ship with a fine 137 run partnership for the third wicket, Amit Jaggernauth claiming the scalp aided by bravo’s tremendous one handed catch at first slip.
Jaggernauth bowled well enough in his first spell providing a little uncertainty on a turning pitch. However once Hussey and Ponting had acclimatised to his action they were rarely in trouble until Hussey fell for 56.
Hodge and Ponting secured a second century partnership of the innings of 119 and looked set to go to the close only three down until Bravo, who had troubled both batsmen with a steady amount of reverse swing, tempted the captain to pull a shot to Brenton Parchment. Ponting’s century had come up in 137 deliveries.
Ponting commented “I didn’t feel like I did much wrong, to tell the truth. It’s satisfying to be out there and feel in control again.
“150-odd – I’m happy with that, but it’s day one of a Test match and lots of things can happen quickly in Test cricket. “We have to make sure we put two really good days together. If we do that, we will be in the box seat in the game.”
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