David Warner laments Dominican pitch as Australia struggle on day one of the final Test against West Indies..
By Staff Writers FOX SPORTS April 24, 2012 1:10PM
Australia opener David Warner revealed he was frustrated with the pitch conditions in Dominica after West Indies spinner Shane Shillingford ripped through the top order to finish day one of the third Test with figures of 4-77.
Despite battling his way to 50, Warner struggled to get into a rhythm throughout his innings and holed out to cover off a Shillingford delivery just after lunch.
The 25-year-old expressed his concern with the ground conditions at the conclusion of the day's play, claiming he was not getting value for his shots like he does in Australia.
"In Australia it's coming onto the bat a lot easier," said Warner.
"They're running away for four, especially in Perth, it's only basically Adelaide Oval and the MCG where you really have to run for your shots.
"We've just got to work on getting our ones and twos and the boundaries aren't going to come.
"I was hitting good shots to mid-off but they weren't going anywhere off the square because it seemed a little dusty surface where the ball doesn't kick on where in Australia it skids off the square."
It was not only Warner who struggled with the slow pitch and the spin of Shillingford, as the West Indian also claimed the prized scalps of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey.
"These guys are guys who once they get in score a lot of runs. Getting these guys out is a real honour for me," Shillingford said.
"I normally get a good amount of bounce but on the second or third day. On the first day, especially with the spin I got, it was a little surprising but (when) I started getting that I started feeling well.
"I started off walking the guys onto the field. The skipper told me to keep my cool, play my normal game and from there I started feeling better and all the excitement came."
Australia will resume on day two at 7-212 with Mitchell Starc on 24 and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade on 23.
