Match Analysis

Shillingford is West Indies' bright spot

ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the fourth day of the third Test in Dominica

Shane Shillingford finished with 10 for 219  •  Associated Press

Shane Shillingford finished with 10 for 219  •  Associated Press

Drought-breaker of the day
When Ben Hilfenhaus popped a close-in catch to Kraigg Brathwaite, Shane Shillingford became the first West Indies spin bowler to claim 10 wickets in a match since Lance Gibbs against England at Old Trafford in 1966. The haul of 10 for 219 was a just reward for Shillingford's persistence, albeit in conditions ideally suited to his art. Since being recalled for the second Test in Trinidad, Shillingford has bowled with consistency, skill and patience, foxing plenty of batsmen with his top spinner though dismissing far more with his offbreak. As a sponsor's ambassador, Gibbs has been watching it all unfold from the stands.
Snare of the day
Commonly posted at short leg, Ed Cowan's fall-back position is often at square leg, alongside the umpire. He was posted there for Ben Hilfenhaus at the start of the West Indies second innings, and when Adrian Barath flicked a full length ball to the legside with plenty of timing, Cowan swooped to grasp a low, diving catch. It was a particularly good take given that Cowan has been nursing a sore wrist since the second day, when he was struck flush by a screeching stroke when fielding close-in. Barath certainly could not believe his fate, as he waited momentarily at the crease before trudging off.
Referral of the day
Brathwaite had made three consecutive ducks entering this innings, but was making a decent start at Windsor Park before Michael Clarke introduced himself to the attack. Though Clarke gained some turn, it was a delivery that whirred through straight that undid Brathwaite, beating his rushed attempt to pull and striking him just in front of off stump. The Australians all went up and so did the umpire Tony Hill, leaving Brathwaite to call for a referral. In keeping with the West Indies' ill-fortune across the series, replays had the ball striking him just in line with the stumps, while Hawk-Eye indicated the ball would have just grazed the top of the bails. There was some dismay evident in the hosts' viewing area as Brathwaite returned to the pavilion.
Direct hit of the day
As a partnership developed between Darren Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, David Warner's leg spin was brought on in an effort to buy a wicket. Cowan was brought into short leg, though he had spoken on the third evening about the trepidation he felt at times given Warner's occasional lapses in line and length. Sure enough, Warner served up a delivery to Bravo that was short enough to be on its way back down by the time it reached the batsman, who pulled convulsively and struck Cowan a percussive blow to the helmet. Cowan reeled away momentarily before gathering his composure, but he quickly retreated to deeper on the legside for the next delivery. Bravo offered some apologies for hitting him, but it was Warner who shall owe his opening partner a drink of some description.

Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here