Labuschagne, Head go big as Australia enjoy strong start to second Test

Unbeaten hundreds from Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head have Australia in a dominant position heading into Day 2 of their day-night Test against an undermanned West Indies outfit in Adelaide.

With Pat Cummins unable to recover from a quad issue, stand-in skipper Steve Smith won the toss for Australia and elected to bat.

Scott Boland was elevated into the side in place of Cummins.

Josh Hazlewood was also ruled out for Australia due to a side strain with Michael Neser his replacement.

For the West Indies, Shamarh Brooks was brought in to replace Nkrumah Bonner whilst Devon Thomas took the place of Kyle Mayers.

Quicks Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales were also ruled out through injury with Anderson Phillip and debutant Marquino Mindley in for them.

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Mindley bowled just two overs, however, before succumbing to a leg injury.

The West Indies again struck in the opening 10 overs with veteran David Warner’s difficult run of form continuing after following up three fours in five balls with a nick off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph for just 21.

Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne steadied things for Australia putting together a 95-run partnership before Thomas hit Khawaja on the pads for 62.

Fresh off a double-ton in Perth, Smith lasted just eight balls before Jason Holder dismissed him caught and bowled for a shock duck.

With Labuschagne and Travis Head at the crease, the Australians prevented the West Indies from building further pressure.

Head surpassed 50 in front of his home crowd before Labuschagne’s historic run of form continued with another century – his third triple-digit score in-a-row to start the summer – under lights in the final session of play.

Head brought up his fifth Test century and first on his home turf the same session off just 125 balls.

Both men remained unbothered by the new ball and managed to reach stumps unscathed – Labuschagne on 120* and Head on 114*.

Play continues tomorrow afternoon with Australia hoping the two men at the crease can continue motoring on before subjecting the West Indies to a difficult period batting under lights.

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