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Star Waugh Captain celebrates return with unbeaten 98
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Returning from injury and marking his 15th year in international cricket, Steve Waugh produced a fighting unbeaten 98 Tuesday as Australia amassed 295 for seven at stumps on the first day of the fourth cricket test against the West Indies. The Australian skipper wrested the initiative from the tourists in the company of the lower-order after the West Indies had Aussies in trouble at 149 for five. The 35-year-old No. 5 batsman overcame the difficulties of a pitch that had unsettled the Australian top order with uncertain bounce and sideways movement. Waugh, who was on 48 when Andy Bichel was dismissed for three to make the total 225 for seven, finished the opening day two runs shy of his 23rd test century. Jason Gillespie, batting at No. 9, held up the other end with an unbeaten 14 runs in 100 minutes. The pair has so far frustrated the West Indies with a 70-run eighth-wicket stand as the fourth biggest crowd ever here for the annual Boxing Day test -- 73,233 spectators -- cheered every ball. Waugh has batted for 4 hours, 20 minutes and hit 13 boundaries in his 183-ball innings. "It has been a dream of mine to get a hundred on Boxing Day, but I didn't quite make it," Waugh said later. "(But) it was very satisfying. I haven't picked up a bat since my injury and felt pretty fresh. "I think that's the best way to go into a test match. "I felt really good today from ball one (and) knew it was going to be my day. It (pitch) suited my game more so than the others. I had to dig in and work hard and knew eventually the runs would come," Waugh said. The lights were turned on for the last 17 overs as the West Indies once again fell behind in the over rate after bowling just 55 overs in the first two sessions. Having missed Australia's series clinching win at the Adelaide Oval due to a buttock muscle strain, Waugh showed no signs of discomfort and batted aggressively for four hours to lift the side. Waugh who made his test debut as a 20-year-old against India said he continued to enjoy his cricket. "I enjoy much more now because I am more relaxed and more confident with my game," Waugh said. "Fifteen years ago I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know where I was and was way out of my depths. "It was good to have those memories of your first test in the back of your head when you're doing well. I still really enjoy the competitive nature of test match cricket and tough situations. "Today felt like it was my first test match. I enjoyed it that much." Waugh also finished Tuesday three runs short of passing Viv Richards' 8,540 runs to become the fifth highest run-getter in the history of test cricket. The Australians also benefited from some ineffective tactical decisions from rival skipper Jimmy Adams, who turned to the inexperienced off-spin of Marlon Samuels and rookie fast bowler Colin Stuart instead of his frontline bowlers at decisive periods. While Waugh had a calming effect on a 61-run sixth wicket stand with Adam Gilchrist -- who deputized as skipper in Adelaide and guided Australia to a five-wicket win to clinch the five test series 3-0 -- his vice-captain played a cameo 58-ball knock and hit six boundaries for his 37 runs. Only a breathtaking catch by Sherwin Campbell at point ended the threatening stand as Gilchrist cut a long-hop from Stuart and the diving Windies vice captain scooped the ball from grass level. Waugh said there was plenty on the wicket to exploit over the duration of the test and his side would not take the foot off its relentless pursuit for a cleansweep of the series. "I never played in a dead rubber. I don't know what it is. Every test match is a test match. We go out there to play for Australia, and if you have that attitude you won't be playing in this test side," Waugh said. The Australian top-order perished largely through self destruction. Openers Michael Slater and Matthew Hayden survived the first hour under cloud-laden skies to put on 41 runs before departing in the space of six runs just before lunch. Hayden became Walsh's 491st test victim as the 38-year-old fast bowler took his year's tally to 65 wickets in his 14th match. In an eventful post lunch session the Australian innings broke free to score 101 runs but lost three wickets in the process. The first hour after the lunch produced 62 runs in 12 overs, 24 of them coming in the first three. No.3 Justin Langer was caught behind going for a wild drive while Ricky Ponting, having hit five fours in his 30-ball innings, holed out to Wavell Hinds at deep square leg and was out for 23.
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