West Indies fast bowler provided a throwback to the days of hostile fast bowling when they ruffled Australia on an eventful final session of the ongoing day/night Test match at Sabina Park.
After being bowled out at the dinner break, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph bowled with sustained pace and menace to leave Australia reeling at 99-6 for an overall lead of 181 in the face of sensational fast bowling with the pink ball under lights Sunday on Day 2.
The pace bowlers dominated all three sessions on the day as 15 wickets fell across both teams. Australia’s all-pace attack had earlier given the visitors the upper hand when it dismissed the West Indies for 143 in the late afternoon to take an 82-run first-innings lead.
When the lights were turned on, Australia faced a tough contest with the swinging pink ball, especially from Alzarri Joseph (3-19) and Shamar Joseph (2-26), as it briefly excited the fans in the stands.
Cameron Green produced a defiant innings even as Australia struggled. He was 42 not out at the close and captain Pat Cummins unbeaten on five. Australia lost Sam Konstas to a five-ball duck in the second over from Shamar Joseph which set in motion the decline of its second innings. The 19-year-old Konstas has had a disappointing series, tallying 50 runs in six innings.
Usman Khawaja (14) and Steve Smith (5) both were bowled – Khawaja played on to a booming inswinger from Shamar, and Smith bowled off the pad after being set-up buy a vicious bouncer from Alzarri.
Beau Webster hit a boundary from the first ball he faced as he looked to fight fire with fire, but was out for 13, bowled by Alzarri. Alex Carey was stuck on the helmet to the next delivery and was out to the same bowler two balls later.
“We wanted seven wickets. We got six wickets. So I’m actually pleased with that performance. The West Indies have a great legacy of fast bowlers. Our young generation just want to continue it and do our best. I actually think anything (target) under 200, to 200 we definitely could chase that,” Shamar Joseph said.
Scott Boland took 3-34 and Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins snared two wickets apiece as the West Indies were dismissed in just over 52 overs in their first innings. The last West Indies wicket fell just before the dinner break, by which time 20 wickets had fallen in five sessions. John Campbell and Shai Hope provided some resistance as the West Indies made progress against the Australia pacers after they started the second day at 16-1.
The West Indies took honours on the first day, bowling out Australia for 225, then negotiating the final 40 minutes before stumps in the face of aggressive bowling in difficult conditions under the floodlights. On resumption West Indies added 57 runs in 23 overs before the first interval for the loss of Brandon King (14) and Roston Chase (18). The West Indies then lost seven wickets for 70 runs in the second session.
Play will resume on Monday at 2:30 p.m. Barbados Time (1:30 p.m. in Jamaica). (PS)
Only if WI can get the BATTING Clicking.