Barbados: First Test Day Two between Australia and West Indies has turned into a seam-bowling spectacle, with 23 of the 24 wickets so far claimed by fast bowlers. After two action-packed days at Kensington Oval, Australia reached stumps at 92 for 4 in their second innings, leading by just 82 runs.
With the pitch offering significant movement and bounce, runs have been hard to come by. Batting remains a challenge, and the Test appears headed for a thrilling finish.
Seamers Continue to Dominate
Australia had earlier bowled West Indies out for 190, securing a narrow 10-run lead. In response, their second innings started nervously.
Sam Konstas survived two chances off Shamar Joseph in the second over. John Campbell missed a sharp chance at third slip, followed by another low opportunity to Justin Greaves at second. Daren Sammy, watching from the dressing room, could not hide his frustration. That made it five missed chances off Joseph in the match.
But Joseph soon got his reward. As in the first innings, Konstas chopped a delivery onto his stumps for 5. By that time, Alzarri Joseph had already trapped Usman Khawaja lbw with a close call from around the wicket.
DRS in Spotlight Again
Cameron Green and Josh Inglis looked to steady the innings. Green survived an lbw appeal on 13 via DRS as the ball was shown to be going over. Moments later, another third umpire call sparked controversy. Adrian Holdstock ruled that Green had edged a delivery, overturning what would have been a clear lbw.
Soon after, Green slashed to slip while Inglis had already shouldered arms to Jayden Seales and lost his off stump. Travis Head and Beau Webster saw out the day, with Webster looking busy at the crease. Head, however, took a painful blow to the hand from Shamar Joseph.
Umpiring Calls Spark Reactions
West Indies’ first innings had ended with several debated dismissals. Roston Chase, who shared a 67-run stand with Shai Hope, was trapped lbw by Pat Cummins. Chase immediately reviewed, believing he had edged the ball. However, despite unclear marks on UltraEdge, the on-field decision stood.
Hope was then caught brilliantly by Alex Carey to his left. “The ball was safely in his glove,” said Holdstock, confirming the dismissal. Though Hope had already walked off, Sammy remained unconvinced.
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West Indies Show Grit
West Indies began the day at 57 for 4. Cummins appealed early against Chase, thinking the ball struck pad first. The third umpire disagreed, confirming bat before pad. Moments later, Brandon King misjudged a leave and lost his off stump to Josh Hazlewood.
Hope returned to the Test arena after three and a half years. He played some stunning drives, including one off Mitchell Starc that raced straight past him. Chase counter-attacked Nathan Lyon, hitting him for two sixes down the ground.
After lunch, Cummins removed Chase. Webster dismissed Greaves and then claimed Hope, thanks to Carey’s sharp one-handed grab. Alzarri Joseph added a valuable 23, including a massive straight six, pushing West Indies just beyond Australia’s first-innings total.
Match On a Knife’s Edge
First Test Day Two between Australia and West Indies: With Australia ahead by 82 and six wickets in hand, the match remains evenly poised. The unbeaten pair of Webster and Head could decide the final outcome. On this challenging surface, even a target around 200 might be enough.
It will take resilience and discipline with both bat and ball to win this Test.
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