West Indies vs. Australia: A Tale of 2 Tails

Ask a Test captain about his biggest annoyances, and being unable to prise out the opposition's lower order would probably be right up there with dropped catches and needless run outs. Australia showed just how crucial the performance of the tail can be in their emphatic nine-wicket win over the West Indies in Dominica on Friday.

That Australia stretched their 12-year unbeaten run against the West Indies was largely down to the tale of the two tails. Chasing the West Indies' first innings total of just 148, the visitors looked set for a mighty scrap after subsiding to 178 for eight.

Expertly marshalled by debutant Adam Voges, tailenders Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood instead took Australia from a potentially perilous position into a commanding one. The final two wickets added 140 runs to put the Australians in the box seat on a wearing pitch.

The West Indian attack that had proved so potent during the early stages of the Australian innings had no answer to the obdurate Aussie scrappers. Fast bowlers Jerome Taylor and Shannon Gabriel too often found a middling length that was neither full enough to provoke an edge nor short enough to discomfort the visitors.

By the time Josh Hazlewood finally succumbed to Marlon Samuels' gentle off-spin, Australia had a lead of 170 and the game was effectively up.

m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2487749-we...itors-win-first-test

hahahaha : de ole man walk with a lucky seed in he pocket :

Guess how many  Chances he got ? 

Downie , kerr yuh Tail  dah side    ::LOL::

Australia's tail (wickets 8 through 10) has been the best in cricket since 2005. Similarly, their bowlers make quick work of the opposition's tail. Obviously, this is a recipe for success.

Since 2005 Australia's tail has averaged 24.11. South Africa are second on the list at 21.13. West Indies average of 15.40 puts them 8th - better than Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Opposition teams tail have only managed 16.77 against Australia - the lowest over this period. Opposing teams tail average 20.50 against West Indies.

Haha,quite contrasting actually.They really have given out loads but scored peanuts.
Holder has been the only man standing,quite often,off late.
Not many of them who have stool tall amidst ruins right ?