Windies crash in opening
first class game
The West Indies began the major business of their Australian programme in Perth on Thursday much as they ended their England tour two months earlier -- in embarrassing disarray.
Without champion left-hander Brian Lara in their line-up, the tourists collapsed for 132 from 58.5 overs in their first innings on the opening day of the initial first-class game, a four-day clash with Western Australia at the WACA ground.
In reply, Western Australia were 110-2 at stumps, with Test number three Justin Langer unbeaten on 40 and night watchman Matthew Nicholson yet to score.
To add to the Windies woes, 20-year-old fast bowler Kerry Jeremy was felled by a vicious short ball from former Test speedster Nicholson and rushed to hospital for X-rays which revealed his jaw had been broken in two places.
An official of the Western Australian Cricket Association said Thursday night Jeremy was being taken to another hospital, St John of God, in the Perth suburb of Murdoch, for a further assessment of the injury.
"There is a possibility Jeremy may have to have an operation tomorrow (Friday)," the official said.
After being struck, Jeremy crashed to the ground and sprawled on the turf for some minutes. He later received first-aid treatment on the ground before walking off spitting blood.
The injury setback was the last straw for the tourists after their batting was destroyed by a State attack. It will, however, pale in comparison to the fast bowling that will be hurled at them in the first Test in Brisbane in only two weeks when Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie will let fly.
Matthew Nicholson (3-32), Gavin Swan (3-31) and Brendon Julian (2-34) are not in the same league.
The tourists were unlucky to lose the toss -- a misfortune which forced them to shape up on a sporty, well-grassed pitch under a cloudy sky.
They were lucky, though, that the State's opening bowlers failed to take advantage of the helpful conditions. Early deliveries by new-ball pair Nicholson and Julian were so astray, ball did not make contact with bat until the 20th legitimate ball of the match.
Despite the lack of early pressure by the home attack, the batsmen played many indisciplined shots to bring about their own downfall.
If there was one bright feature, it was the stylish, though brief, knock by 20-year-old right-hander Ramnaresh Sarwan, the youngster who topped the West Indies batting averages during the England Test series in the past northern summer.
Sarwan defended stoutly and stroked fluently for 22 (four boundaries) before slashing injudiciously outside off-stump and offering a high chance, superbly pouched at first slip by an acrobatic Damien Martyn.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (21), Courtney Browne (20) and Colin Stuart (15 not out) helped to prevent a total rout.
There was further disappointment for the tourists when the State side batted in the final session.
Wicketkeeper Browne missed a chance offered by Test aspirant Mike Hussey, on one, off fast bowler Marlon Black, and the same bowler was unlucky to have an lbw appeal against Hussey, then six, turned down by umpire Bruce Bennett.
Mail Cricket Editor
