Port of Spain: Shivnarine Chanderpaul once again proved key to the West Indies’ innings as he batted through the third morning of the second Test against Australia at Queen’s Park Oval here on Tuesday to reach lunch on 45 not out.
Chanderpaul’s resilience helped the hosts put on 132 for four in response to Australia’s first innings total of 311. Victory for Australia will give them the series, after they won the first Test in Barbados. The Decision Review System (DRS) caused controversy again on Tuesday, but this time before a ball had been bowled. There were 5.3 overs still to be sent down from the previous day after they had been lost to rain on Monday, with the West Indies due to resume on 49-3.
Michael Beer was set to bowl the first ball when everyone started walking back off the field, as it transpired that there was no power supply for the cameras and hence DRS was not available.
After discussions between the umpires and the players, power was restored and play resumed with only 20 minutes lost.
After about an hour’s play, Clarke turned to his support bowlers, with Mike Hussey coming on at one end and Shane Watson at the other. The tactic worked. With the fifth ball of his second over, Hussey appeared to have Darren Bravo plumb lbw for 38. In a desperate decision the batsman decided to use the DRS but to no avail.
The 62-run fourth-wicket partnership had been broken and all four dismissals had been lbw.
Chanderpaul and Narsingh Deonarine batted through to lunch but, as on the first two days, it was slow going and their partnership produced only 32 runs from 17 overs.
Earlier, an 89 run partnership between Mike Hussey and James Pattinson ensured Australia remained in control. (AFP)