Australia have a first innings lead in the second Test against the West Indies – but with both openers dismissed in a tricky late session that turned disastrous for the hosts, the Frank Worrell Trophy remains on a knife’s edge after two days in Grenada.
After a dazzling 75 from Windies newcomer Brandon King in just his second Test provided the backbone of a moderate 253 on a pitch appearing to settle down after a challenging opening day, Australia would have been content with a 33-run lead despite plenty of fight from the hosts’ tailenders.
But neither Sam Konstas (0) nor Usman Khawaja (2) could survive a six-over burst before stumps, with Jayden Seales striking twice with the new ball to leave the tourists 2/12 at the close of play, and in danger of letting their advantage slip.
Both openers’ dismissals spoke of continued problems with Australia’s spluttering top order: pressure will mount even further on Konstas after dragging a wide Seales offering onto his own stumps off the fourth ball of the innings, while Khawaja’s newfound struggle against right-arm quicks coming around the wicket saw a Seales nip-backer trap him plumb in front, burning a review in the process.
Cameron Green and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon were able to see Australia through to stumps without further loss, though the veteran off-spinner needed treatment after copping a short ball to the gloves from Alzarri Joseph before safely reaching the end of the day.
With the middle order providing the bulk of the runs in both the first Test and the first innings in Grenada, the spotlight will turn to Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey to again provide the bulk of the runs to see the visitors to safety on Day 3.
Green, too, has a second opportunity to shore up his spot at No.3 after throwing away a start on Day 1; having negotiated a tricky final session to be 6 not out overnight, the 26-year old can ratify his spot in the team with a key contribution here, having seen his status as the team’s premier all-rounder usurped by Webster.
Earlier, it was a team contribution that prevented the Windies from ever breaking away, despite frequently threatening to take the fight to Australia’s star-studded bowling group.
All six bowlers used claimed at least one wicket, with Lyon (3/75) finishing with the pick of the figures – though the finest moment once again fell to Pat Cummins, whose outstanding diving one-handed catch in his follow-through saw the back of Keacy Carty early.
Typically, it was the captain who provided the day’s best ball, too, a stunning nip-backer to castle Shai Hope (21) ending a burgeoning 58-run stand between the wicketkeeper and the freewheeling King that had taken the Windies to 4/169 and with Australia’s first innings score in their sights.
That stand, as well as a dynamic start from John Campbell (40), provided plenty of fireworks, with the run rate regularly nudging four an over; that gauntlet was taken up by Alzarri and Shamar Joseph after a mid-innings collapse following Cummins’ stunner left the Windies 7/174 and in danger of giving up a big first innings lead.
The pair of quicks put on 51 in just 11 overs, their partnership featuring four sixes, with Lyon in particular punished.
However, there was no joy for veteran opener Kraigg Brathwaite; celebrating his 100th Test, the former fell for a duck after spooning a return catch to Josh Hazlewood, in a nightmare first knock of his milestone game.
The innings ended in controversy, too, with a claimed low return catch from Head quickly upheld by third umpire Nitin Menon despite appearing to graze the ground – a decision that infuriated locals, particularly in the wake of a series of contentious calls going against the West Indies in the first Test in Barbados.
MORE TO COME
