West Indies v Australia

An enthralling contest over the first three days, in which the balance swung one way and then the other, left neither side with an advantage. Australia then collapsed dramatically in the last innings against the spin of Parry and Jumadeen to be soundly beaten.

Both teams showed changes. Bacchus gained his first cap for West Indies, and he and Jumadeen replaced Shillingford and Clarke, both injured. Toohey and Yallop were fit enough to return for Australia, replacing Ogilvie and Cosier. Higgs, the leg-spinner, returned for Laughlin.

West Indies could feel satisfied with a first innings total of 292 for they had been sent in and might have been in dire trouble on a pitch with a large damp spot at one end where the covers had leaked.

From the insecurity of 16 for two they were rescued by a third-wicket partnership of 95 in just over two hours between Williams and Gomes; and later by Kallicharran's superb 92.

Williams and Gomes, disciplining themselves to suit the occasion, had to endure the most difficult period. The former followed his Georgetown century with an even more meritorious display, batting three and threequarter hours before he pulled a waist-high full toss to mid-on. When he left, Kallicharran skilfully manipulated the rest of the innings, hitting sixteen 4s in just over two and threequarter hours.

A gripping struggle for a first innings lead ensued. The Australian openers went cheaply, but Toohey batted enterprisingly for 40 and then Yallop and Serjeant, dropped at 0 and 4, added 101 for the fourth wicket to tilt the balance. Jumadeen dismissed both, with the aid of one wicket-keeper, in quick succession, but Simpson launched such an immediate attack on him that Kallicharran was forced to revert to the second new ball.

Ironically, the move led to a collapse in which the last five wickets fell for 36, five to the veteran Holder for 10 runs in six overs. His six for 28 were his best figures in his 33 Tests.

Only two runs separated the teams on the first innings and, on a pitch yielding increasingly to spin, it was clear that the match would be decided by West Indies' score in their second innings.

They began at the start of the third day and, for more than half that day, fought desperately but unsuccessfully to build a significant total. Only Greenidge, who batted more than three hours, came to terms with the bowling, eventually spoiling an otherwise commendable effort when he lost patience and skied a catch to mid-on.

After their six main batsmen were out for 151, West Indies had to depend on the all-rounders; and Parry, Shivnarine, and Phillip did not disappoint them. Parry and Shivnarine put together 53 for the seventh wicket and Parry and Phillip 69 for the eighth at better than a run a minute, both caning the second new ball. Parry hit nine 4s in a flawless innings; Phillip, badly dropped at short leg when 1, was last man out early on the fourth day for 46, Yardley's fourth wicket for 40 off 30.2 overs.

Australia were left 293 to level the series. It was an awkward proposition and they never looked likely to get close. Darling and Wood were out to the fast bowlers, but it was the contrasting spin of Jumadeen, left-arm orthodox, and Parry, off-breaks, that swept aside the Australian challenge.

Jumadeen accounted for Toohey, Serjeant, and Simpson in the middle order before Parry dismissed the last five batsmen for six runs off 28 deliveries. He turned the ball sharply and his last four victims were all bowled.

Paltry crowds attended the four days, no more than 5,000 being present at any time on a ground which was filled with more than 25,000 on the second day of the first Test. A group protesting against the action of the West Indies Cricket Board of Control in its dispute with World Series Cricket players organised a boycott and there were placard-carrying demonstrators outside the ground. However, there was no trouble.