ST GEORGE’S, Grenada — Quick‑bowling spearhead Alzarri Joseph ignited the Nationwide Cricket Stadium on Thursday, tearing via Australia’s vaunted line‑up and handing the West Indies clear management of the second Take a look at’s opening day.
The precise‑arm fast bagged 4 for 61 because the vacationers have been bundled out for 286 in 66.5 overs, regardless of a gritty rescue act from wicketkeeper‑batsman Alex Carey and all‑rounder Beau Webster.
Fiery beginnings and sudden setbacks
Australia, electing to bat for the second match in succession, burst from the blocks as openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja plundered 47 brisk runs towards wayward new‑ball bowling. Konstas lashed successive boundaries off Shamar Joseph, and Khawaja pulled Alzarri twice via mid‑wicket to raise the run‑price above 4 per over.
On the cusp of the collection’ first 50‑run opening stand, Alzarri struck again—an inswinger thumped Khawaja’s again pad, trapping him lbw for 16. From 47 with out loss, Australia lurched to 50 for 3 within the blink of a watch:
Konstas (25) feathered Anderson Phillip to Shai Hope behind the stumps, ans returnee Steven Smith prime‑edged a pull to Phillip at fantastic leg, giving Alzarri his second.
Lunch stress mounts
Cameron Inexperienced and Travis Head steadied the ship with a 43‑run stand, however fortune proved fickle. Inexperienced, reprieved on 25 by John Campbell at cowl, nicked Jayden Seales to Roston Chase moments later. Australia crawled to 93 for 4 on the interval.
After lunch, Shamar Joseph produced a snorting supply that kissed Head’s outdoors edge; a diving Hope clutched an excellent one‑hander, plunging the guests to 110 for 5.
Carey and Webster rebuild with grit and guile
Very similar to their defiance in Bridgetown, Carey and Webster launched into a 112‑run salvage operation. Webster knuckled down in stoic trend whereas Carey superior down the monitor, drilling all comers—save Alzarri—straight and true.
Carey survived on 46 when Hope’s leap may solely fingertip a fierce higher‑reduce off Phillip, and he quickly celebrated his eleventh Take a look at half‑century by way of a streaky edge via the slips. A towering pull off Justin Greaves sailed for six, however Greaves exacted swift revenge: Carey’s tried encore nestled safely in Kraigg Brathwaite’s palms at mid‑wicket. His enterprising 63 off 81 balls (10 fours, one six) had saved Australia afloat.
Webster, in the meantime, introduced up consecutive fifties with a single off Shamar, earlier than drama re‑entered:
Pat Cummins (17) was bowled by an Alzarri skidder that scuttled low; Mitchell Starc edged Seales behind for six, and Webster’s measured vigil ended on 60 when a reckless second run left him in need of his floor.
Alzarri returned to finish the innings, tempting Nathan Lyon right into a feather behind at 6:30 p.m. sharp.
With the pitch providing each tempo and variable bounce, the West Indies’ opening duo should now convert the bowlers’ laborious work right into a commanding first‑innings lead. Grenadian spectators, nonetheless buzzing from a day of theatrical momentum swings, will rise on Friday desirous to see whether or not the hosts can press their early benefit and degree the collection
