- Vacationers wrestle with the bat as soon as once more in second innings
- Match stays delicately poised on the finish of day two
Australia are crying out for Steve Smith’s return after the new-look prime order once more misfired and saved the primary West Indies Check on a knife’s edge in Bridgetown.
Teenage opener Sam Konstas went for single figures for the second time in a tricky return Check and Cameron Inexperienced’s struggles at No.3 continued as Australia went to stumps on day two at 4-92 within the second innings.
It means Australia maintain a lead of 82 runs after their pacemen skittled West Indies for 190 in reply to 180.
The continuing 27-run partnership between a newly affected person Travis Head (13 runs off 37 balls) and Beau Webster (19 off 24) seems crucial for Australia.
A complete of 24 wickets have fallen throughout the primary two days of the three-match sequence – Australia’s last tune-up earlier than the house Ashes this summer season.
Within the absence of injured talisman Smith, hoping to return within the second Check, Australia’s prime 4 managed solely 47 runs between them to place stress on the decrease order on day three.
Younger gun Sam Konstas seems to be again in dismay after having his bails eliminated by Shamar Joseph on day two of the primary Check in Barbados
Joseph (pictured celebrating) eliminated Konstas cheaply, similar to he did within the first innings – and the Aussie was fortunate to get on the scoreboard in any respect
The 19-year-old made an excellent begin to his Check profession however is struggling badly within the Windies
Konstas’s extremely anticipated comeback Check will end with scores of three and 5, however he was lucky to have scored in any respect on Friday morning AEDT.
The proficient teenager was dropped twice from the bowling of Shamar Joseph (1-15) within the house of three balls through the second over earlier than he had gotten off the mark.
Australia’s acquainted tormentor Joseph lastly had his man when Konstas chopped on, the ball ricocheting from the toe of his bat and onto center stump.
Inexperienced might additionally rely himself fortunate to not have gone before 15 – nonetheless his highest rating from 4 digs since being bumped as much as No.3.
The towering West Australian efficiently overturned the umpire’s lbw name on 13, and added just one run earlier than surviving Justin Greaves’ evaluate for lbw.
For the fourth time in as many Check innings since coming back from a again damage, Inexperienced edged to the slips cordon after an uncomfortable keep on the crease – this time falling to Greaves.
Smith’s damage alternative Josh Inglis (12) went cheaply for a second time this Check, shouldering arms and permitting Jayden Seales (1-24) to nudge off-stump with a peach.
Usman Khawaja’s luck from the primary innings additionally ran dry on 15, with ball-tracker inconclusive because the veteran fought to overturn the on-field name of lbw from Alzarri Joseph (1-16).
Pat Cummins is pictured after snaring West Indies captain Roston Chase, who was livid to be given out after showing to edge the ball on a replay
Earlier, West Indies’ Roston Chase (44) survived an Australian lbw enchantment on one and a Konstas dropped catch at sq. leg on 4 to forge a 67-run stand with Shai Hope (48).
However Chase appeared vastly annoyed early within the afternoon session when he was given out lbw to Pat Cummins, satisfied that he’d acquired an inside edge.
The Ultraedge evaluate gave no clear proof a technique or one other and the disgruntled captain needed to go.
Hope would have been equally disenchanted to have been given out when replays solid doubt as as to whether the ball had grazed the turf on its solution to Alex Carey from Webster’s bowling (2-20).
The acquainted triumvirate of Mitchell Starc (3-65), Josh Hazlewood (2-34) and Cummins (2-34) all chipped in, whereas Nathan Lyon grabbed the ultimate wicket of the innings, tempting Seales to slog one straight down Webster’s throat within the deep.
