Although a minor one, West Indies opening batters won the first battle on the second day of the first Test match against Australia in Perth today. Chasing the hosts’ mammoth first innings total of 598, captain Kraigg Brathwaite (18*) and debutant batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul (47*) put together 74 runs in the 25 overs they batted in the evening session.
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Chanderpaul, in particular, looked in total control in his first-ever innings in international cricket hitting six fours and a six across the 73 balls the he faced on his first batting day in Test cricket.
Son of former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine batted with immense fluency especially after getting his eye in. Even though the 26-year old player’s first ball at the highest level witnessed him hitting an unconvincing boundary off Australia speedster Mitchell Starc, his subsequent boundaries saw him batting with utter conviction.
The left-handed batter was seen playing a punch, on-drive, slash and a pull for a six off Australia captain Pat Cummins to be in touching distance of a maiden Test half-century. Set to resume batting on Day 3, Chanderpaul would be eyeing to convert his impressive start into a memorable knock.
Josh Hazlewood troubled by Tagenarine Chanderpaul in Perth Test
Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood, who bowled the most overs among his teammates in the final session on Thursday, was also the most expensive bowler among them. Clearly impressed by Chanderpaul, Hazlewood laid emphasis on planning in a better way against him on Day 3.
“Interesting start from [Tagenarine] Chanderpaul. He went for shots once he got set and was tough to bowl to. We’ll have to hit our lengths against him [tomorrow],” Hazlewood told Fox Cricket after Stumps, Day 2.
A chip off the ‘ol block! 💥
Tagenarine Chanderpaul looking every bit a Test player already! #PlayOfTheDay #AUSvWI | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/lcLmI5yD4M
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 1, 2022
He might not have played as many shots as his opening partner but Brathwaite has it in him to prove a bigger threat than Chanderpaul for Australia on Friday. While it is a classic case of being too early to predict anything, fans would want for both Brathwaite and Chanderpaul to fight it out in the middle in a bid to avoid a one-sided affair.
