Australia 293 for 2 (Labuschagne 154*, Smith 59*) Vs West Indies
Coming to the crease in the fourth over after the wicket of opener David Warner, Labuschene faced a surface with 10mm of grass left.
While most of their team-mates lack red-ball cricket, in between a number of limited-overs internationals, Libeschen and Khawaja have prepared extensively through four Sheffield Shield matches with Queensland this season. Benefited.
Leboschgen has clearly relished his return to the Optus Stadium, where he scored 143 and 50 in the last Test against New Zealand at the 60,000-seat ground three years ago.
While Khawaja looked to shine from the get-go to continue his Test reproduction as an opener with an average of 95 for the calendar year. It was almost a shock when he fell to a cracker by fast bowler Kyle Mears before tea, but Australia soon regained control in a one-sided final session.
Perhaps sensing their opposition wilting, Libeschen and Smith put their feet down to score freely after tea as the West Indies went through the motions and their pace with the second new ball was incredible.
He capitalized on an increasingly tiring West Indies effort, hitting Alzari Joseph for a six later in the day at the Wirral Grandstands.
Smith’s strong form continued from the ODI series against England, highlighting his growing confidence with his new technique, which he recently refined by abandoning shuffling at the crease.
Although his trademark exaggeration after dropping deliveries was still eye-catching, Smith was well-balanced at the crease as he consistently drove sweetly through the covers.
It was a disappointing end to the day for the West Indies, whose hopes of disappointment were seemingly boosted when Australian captain Pat Cummins gambled and batted first. They bowled good line and length, aided by the aggressive captaincy of skipper Craig Brathwaite, who completed the attacking fields with five slips reminiscent of the heyday of the nearby WACA.
The West Indies were rewarded with the opening wicket of Warner, whose lean run in Test cricket continued when he sliced a full and wide delivery from Sales onto the stumps.
But the routes failed to correct as Labuschagne and Khawaja dug in before regaining control in the afternoon amid cool weather and less maneuvering than expected for a flagging attack on the surface.
Former coach Justin Langer’s recent inflammatory interview has led to fears of a cold reception from fans, which overshadowed the opening Test of the Australian summer.
But Langer, a favorite son in his hometown of Perth, was on the ground before he chatted with several of the Australian players in a sign of perhaps a truce. There was no apparent ill feeling from the fans throughout the day, who praised both teams for kneeling before the game in a stand against racism.
But the crowd of just 10,929 illustrated the general apathy in Perth for the match, which led to little fanfare.
As expected, a full-strength Australia fielded, while West Indies named Taginarayan Chandrapal, son of legendary batsman Shiv Narine, for his Test debut and received his Maroond cap from Brian Lara before the game.
Tristan Lovelette is a journalist based in Perth.
