A unique Test victory
Stats highlights from Australia's three-wicket win in the first Test in Barbados
Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan
12-Apr-2012
Ben Hilfenhaus has now picked up 32 wickets in his last five Tests at 17.46 • AFP
Following a lower-order resurgence and Michael Clarke's aggressive declaration, Australia fought back to win, late on the final day. Here are highlights from a thrilling first Test in Barbados
- Clarke declared Australia's first innings when they were still 43 runs behind West Indies. Australia's three-wicket win is only the second time (excluding the innings forfeit in Centurion) that a team has managed to come back and win a Test despite declaring with a score; less than that of their opponent at the end of their innings. The last occasion this happened was when England declared 21 runs behind West Indies in Barbados in 1935 and went on to win by four wickets. This defeat incidentally proved to be the last one in Barbados for West Indies till their 208-run loss against England in 1994.
- West Indies' poor recent form in Barbados continued with their third defeat in the last five Tests at the venue (two draws). Their last win came against Pakistan in 2005. Overall, their win-loss record at the venue since 2000 is an extremely poor 2-10. In sharp contrast, their record at the venue between 1980 and 2000 was an impressive 14-2. Australia improved on their record in Barbados by winning their third consecutive Test (2003, 2008 being the previous wins). Their last defeat came in the thrilling third Test in 1999 when West Indies, led by Brian Lara scraped through by one wicket. Australia's win is their fourth in Barbados, the most by any visiting team at the venue.
- This is the ninth time that a team has won by a margin of three wickets or fewer against West Indies. Australia have achieved the feat on five occasions. Three of those wins have come in West Indies, while the other two have come in Tests in Melbourne. The last time Australia won in this way was in 1978 in Guyana when they successfully chased down a target of 359.
- The target of 192 is the sixth-highest chased by Australia against West Indies and the second-highest in West Indies. All five of their higher chases have come in matches played before 1980. It is also the highest target chased by a visiting team in matches in Barbados. The top three, run chases at the venue have all been achieved by West Indies.
- Despite scoring 449 in their first innings, West Indies went on to collapse in their second innings and lose the Test. This is only the eighth occasion that West Indies have gone on to lose a Test despite scoring over 400 in their first innings. In four of these eight games, West Indies have scored over 400 batting first. The last such defeat for West Indies came in Adelaide in 2005 when they made 405 after Brian Lara's 226 but still went on to lose by seven wickets.
- Since the beginning of 2005, West Indies have been bowled out for less than 200 in their second innings (third or fourth match innings) on 17 occasions. The last time this happened was in Mumbai, when they were bowled out for 134 before the match ended in a draw with the scores level. The last time West Indies scored over 300 in their second innings and won a Test was against Pakistan in 2005.
- Ben Hilfenhaus continued his excellent run by picking up four wickets in West Indies' second innings making it five for the match. Since the start of the India series, he has picked up 32 wickets in five Tests, at an average of 17.46. Before the Boxing Day Test against India, Hifenhaus had picked up 55 wickets, at an average of 34.65.
Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan is a sub-editor (stats) at ESPNcricinfo