It was a good day and night for the West Indies as they took the advantage over Australia in the first day of the third Test at Sabina Park in Kingston. It was a historic occasion, the first day/night Test on Jamaica ln soil using the pink ball, and a colourful and vocal crowd came out to witness the moments unfold.
They saw 11 wickets fall — all 10 Australians and the one for West Indies — that of debutant Kelvin Anderson on an enthralling Saturday afternoon and night.
Shamar Joseph took four wickets, with Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales taking three apiece, as the West Indies pace attack took full advantage of the seam and pitch conditions once the lights were turned on at Sabina Park to bowl Australia out for 225.West Indies were brilliant in the field.
Usman Khawaja fell for a scratchy 23 from 92 balls until he was spectacularly caught behind by Shai Hope to give Shamar Joseph (4-33) his first wicket of the day.
Substitute Anderson Phillip provided another moment of magic when he ran around from mid on and dived to take an amazing one-handed catch to dismiss Travis Head off Greaves. Australia’s middle order didn’t fire with Head (20), Beau Webster (one) and Alex Carey (21) all falling in quick time as the lights were turned and the ball began cause problems.
The hosts then survived a night time examination of pace and swing from Mitchell Starc in his 100th Test. He got the wicket of Anderson — bowled with an inswinger. However Brandon King and skipper Roston Chase negotiated a tricky last half hour to close the day at 12-1.
King and Anderson had the unenviable task of opening the batting for the hosts under lights with Mikyle Louis and John Campbell both unavailable to bat after taking blows in the field during Australia’s first innings.
Earlier, opening batter Kraigg Brathwaite was dropped following his 100th Test in Grenada last week. He struggled series with scores of 4, 4, 0, 7. He was replaced by Louis, while Anderson debuted at No. 3 replacing Keacy Carty.
Australia veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was also dropped for the first time in 12 years as the tourists opted for an all-pace attack.
Play resumes on Sunday at 1:30pm local time (2:30pm Barbados). (PS)
Yet again we see our Bowlers doing their Job.
It’s up to our Batsmen to deliver.