West Indies and Australia remained locked in a tense, low-scoring duel shaped by quality fast bowling, as ten wickets fell today on Day Two of the Test match at Kensington Oval.
At stumps, Australia hold an 82-run lead after dismissing the West Indies for 190. Travis Head is unbeaten on 13, while his relatively free-scoring partner Beau Webster sat on 19.
Early in their second innings just after tea, the visitors were put under pressure by the West Indian quicks. Shamar Joseph, continuing his excellent start to the series, found the edge of Sam Konstas’ bat twice in the second over, only to see the chances go down — John Campbell and Justin Greaves the culprits. Joseph took matters into his own hands a few overs later, bowling Konstas with a ball that seamed back sharply — eerily similar to his first-innings dismissal.
Alzarri Joseph had earlier accounted for Usman Khawaja (15) lbw in a probing spell around the wicket, leaving Australia at 34 for 2 in the 12th over. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis attempted a recovery, but Inglis misjudged a leave and got his off stump pegged back by Jayden Seales. Green survived an lbw on review, but then nicked a Greaves delivery shortly after, ending a brief resistance worth 15 runs.
Webster played positively in the final session, while Head, though struck painfully on the hand by a sharp delivery from Joseph, batted with composure to guide Australia to the close.
West Indies had earlier taken a narrow first-innings lead of ten, thanks largely to a solid 67-run partnership between Roston Chase and Shai Hope in the morning session. Hope, making a welcome return to the Test side after more than three years, looked fluent in his 53, while Chase was assertive against the spin of Nathan Lyon, clearing the ropes with confidence.
There were, however, moments of frustration for the home side, not least when both Hope and Chase fell in close succession after lunch — both decisions upheld by third umpire Adrian Holdstock in contentious circumstances. Chase was given out lbw to Pat Cummins, while Hope’s inside edge was brilliantly taken by Carey and judged to have carried cleanly to the gloves.
Though coach Darren Sammy showed visible disappointment on the team balcony, the players maintained focus. Alzarri Joseph’s aggressive cameo of 23, including a straight six, ensured West Indies edged ahead on first innings before the match tilted again.
Summarised Scores
Australia 180 & 92 for 4 (Beau Webster 19*, Shamar Joseph 1-15, Alzarri Joseph 1-15)
West Indies 190 (Shai Hope 48, Roston Chase 44; Starc 3-65)
Match state: Australia lead by 82 runs.
(JC)
