Australia are 93-4 at the lunch interval on Day One of the second test against West Indies at the National Stadium in Grenada.
West Indies made one change at the start of play; Trinidadian seamer Anderson Philip in for vice-captain Jomel Warrican. Australia also made one change: Steve Smith returning from injury to replace Josh Inglis.
Having elected to bat first, the visitors had an opening partnership worth 47 runs with openers Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas surviving the opening half hour which contained several plays and misses. Their luck changed when Umpire’s call on review went in favour of fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and West Indies after he trapped Khawaja on the crease for 16 runs.
His partner Konstas went shortly after, flirting with a full delivery from seamer Anderson Philip and feathering an edge through to wicketkeeper Shai Hope. The returning Steve Smith, who replaced Josh Inglish, was dismissed for just three runs. The prolific right hander top edged a swivel off the bowling of Joseph to Philips at fine leg, leaving Australia 50-3.
Cameron Green and Travis Head, who struck two half centuries in the first test, combined for a partnership worth 43 runs which looked to have made honours even at the break. Jayden Seales had other plans though. Despite having Green dropped at cover earlier in the over, the 23-year-old seamer went full once more to Green and drew the edge which was taken by captain Roston Chase in gully.
John Campbell, who was the culprit who shelled the chance at cover with Green on 25, would have been relieved that the under pressure Australian number three only added one more to his score.
WI had a Good Day at de Office.
It’s up to the Batsmen to Shine.