Welcome to news.com.au’s live coverage of Day 2 of the opening Test of the summer against the West Indies.
Australia sit in a commanding position against the tourists after the opening day of action at Optus Stadium – with the first ball of Day 2 scheduled to be bowled at 1:20pm AEDT on Thursday.
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Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat on Wednesday with the Aussies finishing at 2/293 under scorching Perth conditions.
You can read the full scoreboard here and catch up on the day’s action below as it happens (all times AEDT).
5.30pm – The run onslaught carries on
For the ninth time in his illustrious career, Steve Smith has surpassed the 150 run mark as the Aussie total surpasses 500 on day 2.
Marnus Labuschagne’s departure brought Travis Head to the crease who applied instant pressure by racing to 50 runs from only 51 deliveries as Smith continued to ply away.
Smith’s masterful innings drew heavy praise from Ricky Ponting and the changes he made to his technique.
“He’s talked all week, and we’ve talked about it in comms about his changes and he said to us it was all about freeing up his off-side play,” Ponting said on Channel 7’s coverage.
“What I have seen in this game, it’s actually freed up his leg- side play. It’s made him a better puller of the ball already in a couple of days. I think that’s because he’s been looking ahead to the South African series and who he might face there.”
The questions now turn to when the Aussies will call time on the innings and send the West Indies in who have spent two days under the scorching Perth conditions.
3.20pm – Smith equals Sir Donald
Steve Smith has raised the bat after producing a masterful innings alongside Marnus Labuschagne.
It makes it Smith’s 29th Test century, drawing him level with Sir Donald Bradman for fourth on the all-time Australian list.
Only minutes after Smith raised his bat, Labuschagne again raised both hands to the heavens as he made it to 200 unbeaten.
He becomes only the third player this year to score a double century in Test cricket.
Marnus’ innings came to an end on the stroke of lunch at 204 runs when he was caught behind off the bowling of part-time spinner Kraigg Brathwaite.
2.30pm – Marnus and Smith shatter record
The dominant Aussie duo are continuing to put the West Indies attack to the sword on day 2.
After Smith joined Labuschagne at the crease following the fall of Usman Khawaja, leaving the Aussies at 2/151.
But the star duo quickly turned the blowtorch back onto the tourists as they combined for a partnership of 211, so far.
It’s their biggest partnership together in Test cricket.
1:00pm – Marnus ‘calming down a bit’
Marnus Labuschagne has explained some of the sutble changes to his batting ahead of the second day of his magnificent innings.
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Marnus was asked if he was actively trying to minimise his unique mannerisms while batting out on the pitch.
The star batsman suggested he might be “calming down a little more,” although it clearly hasn’t been a purposeful step to remove his unique quirks.
12:30pm – Smith good to go after injury scare
Steve Smith is ready to rock on Day 2 despite an injury scare on Wednesday that left him needing treatment out on the field.
The batting superstar is “all ok” according to Cricket Australia after going down with a sore left hip, the same hip he was struggling with in the lead-up to the Test.
He resumes his innings on 59.
12pm – Day 1 recap
The tourists received an early boost after David Warner suffered a brain fade.
Australia was 1/9 in the fourth over when Warner chopped on from Jayden Seales’ wide delivery.
From there it was all one way traffic in the middle as Labuschagne joined Usman Khawaja at the crease and put the West Indies to the sword.
The duo combined for a stunning 142-run partnership with Khawaja continuing his stellar calendar year form before being sent packing on 65 from a perfectly delivered Kyle Mayers ball.
Labuschagne however wasn’t to be denied as he raised his bat with a perfectly structured century, ultimately ending the days play on 154 not out.
The classy number three picked the West Indies bowling attack apart, pummelling 16 boundaries and one six throughout the day.
It was the eighth Test century for Labuschagne.
Former coach Justin Langer was thrilled to see Labuschagne raise the bat with Smith at the crease with him.
“It is the master and the apprentice. I’ve said it for the last three or four years, and they have become great friends. They have helped each other, they love cricket and to be out there on such a great moment for Marnus, not only for Marnus, for the team, for his family, it’s nice to have one of your best mates out there batting with you,” he said on Channel 7’s coverage.
Steve Smith carried on the impressive run onslaught when he strolled to the crease, combining with Labuschagne for another century stand.
Smith walked off at the end of the days play unbeaten on 59 after producing a 142-run stand with his apprentice.
You can read the full scoreboard here and catch up on the day’s action below as it happens (all times AEDT):
1:00pm – Marnus ‘calming down a bit’
Marnus Labuschagne has explained some of the sutble changes to his batting ahead of the second day of his magnificent innings.
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Marnus was asked if he was actively trying to minimise his unique mannerisms while batting out on the pitch.
The star batsman suggested he might be “calming down a little more,” although it clearly hasn’t been a purposeful step to remove his unique quirks.
12:30pm – Smith good to go after injury scare
Steve Smith is ready to rock on Day 2 despite an injury scare on Wednesday that left him needing treatment out on the field.
The batting superstar is “all ok” according to Cricket Australia after going down with a sore left hip, the same hip he was struggling with in the lead-up to the Test.
He resumes his innings on 59.
