Cricket: Waughs make scores

Australia 227-5 v West Indies

THREE wickets in the last three quarters of an hour, two to the indomitable Curtley Ambrose with the second new ball, brought the West Indies back into a match they appeared to have given up the moment they lost the toss in the third Test here yesterday.

Mark Waugh's complete misjudgement in attempting a leg-side single and Carl Hooper's direct hit that ran him out by yards at the bowlers' end triggered the late turn of events.

It ended a run-a-minute partnership of 94 between Mark and his twin brother Steve, and it came two overs before the eager Ambrose could get his hands on the new ball.

He revived his listless team, bowling Damien Martyn for nought off pad and body as he came forward in defence, and for the fourth time in five innings in the series dismissed Steve Waugh to a stunningly sharp catch around the corner by Phil Simmons as soon as Waugh had reached 100.

Australia, sailing along at 254 for 2 as the Waughs gathered their runs comfortably, were 270 for 5 at the end. Australia's position of strength revolved around Steve Waugh, who reasserted his place in the side he has only recently regained with his fourth century in Tests. It was his first score of higher than 50 since his unbeaten 134 against Sri Lanka in Hobart four years ago.

He added 118 for the second wicket with David Boon, who looked even more certain of 100 before his gloved sweep off the occasional left-arm spinner Jimmy Adams ended his threat at 76. After that, the Waughs took control in the best Test stand they have made to date.

Steve entered an hour and 20 minutes into the match when the left handed opener Mark Taylor's attempted backfoot drive off Ian Bishop presented the wicketkeeper Junior Murray with his first catch on his Test debut. On an easy pitch, urged on by 28,397 of his fellow Sydney-siders, this was to be his day.

A slight deflection from the top of his pad when he moved out to drive Hooper's flighted off-spin when four prevented a possible stumping. At 50, Ambrose could not contain his disbelief when the umpire Terry Prue refused an lbw appeal. Ambrose appealed twice, got no response and lingered mid- pitch waiting for the replay on the scoreboard screen that confirmed his opinion. He may have made a few uncomplimentary remarks about the decision, for Prue consulted his square-leg colleague, Daryl Hair, and Ambrose might expect a summons from the ICC match referee, Donald Carr.

(First Day: Australia won toss)

AUSTRALIA - First innings

D C Boon c Murray b Adams. . . . . . . . . . .76

M A Taylor c Murray b Bishop. . . . . . . .20

S R Waugh c Simmons b Ambrose. . . . . .100

M E Waugh run out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

D R Martyn b Ambrose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

A R Border not out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

G R J Matthews not out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

Extras (16lb, 3nb). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Total (for 5 wkts). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272

Fall of wickets: 1-42 2-160 3-254 4-261 5-270

To bat: I A Healy, S K Warne, M G Hughes, C J McDermott

Bowling (to date): Ambrose 20-6-37-2; Walsh 16-4-57-0 (1nb); Bishop 20-4-56-1 (2nb); Hooper 24-4-69-0; Adams 11-2-37-1.

West Indies: R B Richardson (capt), D L Haynes, P V Simmons, B C Lara, K L T Arthurton, J C Adams, J R Murray, C E L Ambrose, I R Bishop, C L Hooper, C A Walsh.