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Windies target Hussey as key to victory

3 minute read

West Indies captain Darren Sammy believes finding a way to get Australia veteran Michael Hussey out early will go a long way to winning the 3rd Test.

Australia veteran Michael Hussey is being identified as the prized wicket for the West Indies as they aim for series-levelling win in the third Test this week.

Hussey has played three vital hands during the two Tests so far in the Caribbean series, helping Australia regain momentum after early stumbles.

In the first Test in Barbados, Hussey made a patient 48 in the first innings to lift Australia from 4-133 to 6-249 by the time he was dismissed.

In the second innings, his quickfire 32 off 26 balls was a crucial part of Australia's successful chase as they beat fading light to complete a remarkable win.

The 36-year-old left-hander then made 73 in the first innings in Trinidad to lift Australia from 4-167 to a comfortable 7-297 on a Port of Spain wicket where scoring wasn't easy.

It means Windies skipper Darren Sammy, desperate to add a drawn series against Australia to his Test captaincy CV, believes preventing Hussey from adding runs with the lower order will be vital in the final Test at Dominica's Windsor Park starting on Monday.

"So far Hussey has come in and played a crucial role like he always does for Australia," Sammy said.

"It's one area we would like to put a stop to."

But Sammy feels he has an edge in his in-form fast bowler Kemar Roach who he thinks has the Australian top order running scared after taking 15 wickets so far in the series.

"I know they're wary of Roach," he said.

"The first time they played against him they were and now he's even bowling better."

The final Test begins at 10am on Monday (2400 AEST).