WI aim to keep Aussies under 300

West Indies will be hoping to wrap up the Australian first innings early today and keep them under 300 runs, this according to off-spinner Shane Shillingford. Speaking at the end of the first day’s play, the Dominican said: “We will be hoping to bowl Australia out below 300 runs. This is our target and we think it is something we can achieve.” Shillingford believes that the pitch is one where you are never really set and this would work in favour of the West Indies. “The pitch is one in which you are never set and this would work for us. It is a pitch that is slow and one that needs concentration all the while.”

On a personal note he said it was great to be back playing Tests after a long lay-off. Shillingford was sent to do remedial work on his bowling action after playing against Sri Lanka in November 2011 and this marks his first match for the West Indies since his clearance. “It is great to be back.” Shillingford bowled beautifully on the day and finished with the figures of 32-11-56-2. “From my second ball I noticed the ball was turning and this made me feel good and from after that is was a matter of hitting the targets and keeping my composure.” Meanwhile, Aussie top scorer on the day Shane Watson said Shillingford bowled well and could play a major factor as the match progresses. “He bowled really well and did not give us too many loose balls. This pitch is very very slow and he could play a major part as the match progresses.”

Watson said the West Indies bowling and field placing really put a lid on free scoring and this accounted for just 208 runs from the 90 overs bowled. “It was a difficult pitch to bat on because it was hard to get the pace of the ball. This made it hard to bat out there and also the field setting by Darren Sammy was very good and this made it hard to rotate the strike. “We are looking to get around 300 runs which we think would be a good first innings score on that pitch. This pitch reminds me of those in India and it would only get slower and allow more generous spin as the match progresses.”