The first Test between the West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, has been a wild ride thus far. The game is flowing quickly as both teams try to shift the tide in their favour. While 14 wickets fell on the first day, 10 wickets were taken on day two.
The West Indies began the day on 57/4, 123 runs behind Australia’s total from the first innings.
Brandon King was ejected early, and the hosts lost half their team for 72 runs. Captain Roston Chase was joined by Shai Hope, who batted for the first time in a Test since November 2021. The veteran combination put on an important 67-run stand off 138 deliveries, bringing the West Indies closer to Australia’s score. Pat Cummins removed his opponent after he scored 44 runs off 108 deliveries.
Justin Greaves failed to impress with the bat and was removed by all-rounder Beau Webster. The latter gained confidence from his success and sent Hope packing for a 91-ball 48. Alzarri Joseph finished unbeaten on 23 from 20 balls as the West Indies were bowled out for 190.
Australia, trailing by 10 runs in the second innings, got off to a slow start, with Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas contributing 27 runs to the opening stand. Alzarri Joseph, on the other hand, provided the home side with their first breakthrough by outdueling Khawaja. Konstas had an atypical performance, scoring five runs off 38 balls and being removed by Shamar Joseph.
Cameron Green and Josh Inglis tried to weather the storm, but Jayden Seales bowled a pearler to dismiss the latter. Inglis shouldered arms to a delivery that nipped back after pitching and rattled the top of off-stump. Green’s troubles with deliveries around the off-stump continued as he edged a wide delivery from Greaves straight to Chase at first slip.
Australia were 65/4 at this stage after batting 25 overs before Travis Head and Webster batted sensibly to take the tourists to 92/4 at stumps, with a lead of 82.
India
