Pat Cummins surpassed an Australian great as the hosts strangled the West Indies on day three of the first Test in Perth on Friday.
Cummins took his 200th Test wicket to equal the mark of Jeff Thomson, before moving to 202 scalps as Australia bowled the West Indies out for 283.
The Australians, who had posted 4-598 declared in the first innings, then had 11 overs to build on their lead before stumps on the third day.
AS IT HAPPENED: First Test, day three
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David Warner (18) and Marnus Labuschagne (three) will resume on day four as Australia, 1-29, looks to build on a lead of 344.
Cummins drew level with Thomson on Australia’s list of wicket-takers when he removed West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, fizzing the ball past the forward defence of the opener and collecting the top of off.
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor gave the speedster a big rap at the close of play.
“He was very good today. I thought he was very tactically good also as captain, and obviously picking up the wickets he did and getting past Thommo is a great achievement,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports.
“Things are going very well for Pat and the Australian team.
“I’ve got to say, I thought Mitchell Starc was probably the pick of the bowlers, but I thought he and Starc were both great.”
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It’s only a matter of time before Cummins moves past the Test wicket tallies of former Australian quicks Merv Hughes (212) and Peter Siddle (221), which he will likely do this summer.
After famously beginning his Test career with a six-wicket haul against South Africa in Johannesburg in November 2011, Cummins didn’t play another Test until March 2017.
“Cricket Australia should be commended for sticking with Pat,” Taylor said.
“Obviously they knew the talent in him … as any organisation should, when you get talent come into your squad like Pat did many years ago, you look after them as best you can. I think Cricket Australia has done a very good job of doing that, and now they’re reaping the benefits from that. They’ve got a captain and obviously one of the world’s finest bowlers.”
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Usman Khawaja lost his wicket in the fifth over of Australia’s dig when Kemar Roach drew an edge and had him caught behind by Joshua Da Silva.
Warner must be hungry to pile on the runs when play resumes on day four, especially as he fell for five runs in the first innings and watched two of his teammates pummel double centuries.
“I think if they get a wriggle on in the morning they could bat until about lunch, and they should be well in advance of (a lead of) 450,” Taylor said.
“That should be plenty, to be totally honest. Whether they go after lunch or not, I’m not sure. But, really, lunch time should be around the time they should be thinking about declaring, because that would give them enough time to bowl the West Indies out, which is what you want to do after you’ve really controlled the game since the first session.”
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