Australia v West Indies 1930-31

Favoured by the conditions - rain over the week end and subsequently state of the pitch - West Indies gained a notable triumph by 30 runs. Apart from the result, the match was memorable for the fact that Grant twice applied the closure. Each time the wet wicket, becoming difficult under a hot sun, influenced the West Indies captain to adopt this course and on both occasions his judgment proved correct. Headley followed his success at Brisbane by scoring his second Test match century. Martin, enjoying that distinction for the first time, carried out his bat when Grant declared on the second day. Batting for five hours and three-quarters, he showed marked skill especially when the pitch was getting treacherous. Martin and Headley put on 152 runs in a splendid partnership. Fairfax and Oldfield added 66 for Australia's eighth wicket but run-getting again became so difficult that West Indies lost half their batsmen for 124 before bad light stopped play on the third evening. With the pitch again affected by sunshine after continuous rain, which prevented any cricket on Tuesday, Grant took the risk of leaving Australia to get 247 runs in unlimited time, it having been arranged to play the match to a finish. Half the wickets falling for 74 runs before lunch, the match seemed as good as over but McCabe hit finely while Fairfax showed admirable defence until a catch by Grant broke up the partnership. Latterly some of the West Indians became wild in their returns but the waste of a few runs, happily for the visitors, did not affect the issue. At the end of the match the winners were cheered enthusiastically and congratulated heartily on their first victory over Australia.