SABINA PARK, KINGSTON – Beneath the historic pink glow of floodlights at Sabina Park, West Indies’ quick bowlers produced a stirring show to dismiss Australia for 225, earlier than cautiously reaching 16 for one at stumps on the opening day of the third and remaining Check on Saturday.
The house facet’s reply was fraught with rigidity, as debutant Kevlon Anderson—thrust into the unfamiliar function of opener as a consequence of accidents to Mikyle Louis and John Campbell—was bowled by Mitchell Starc for 3. Starc, enjoying his milestone one centesimal Check, struck late to make sure Australia ended a turbulent day with one thing to have a good time.
Brandon King (8 not out) and captain Roston Chase (3 not out) survived 9 testing overs below lights, the pair managing to see West Indies by way of with out additional injury in circumstances nonetheless closely favoring the seamers.
Seam symphony: Joseph, Seales, Greaves orchestrate collapse
Australia had earlier received the toss and batted first on a grassy floor that supplied appreciable motion all through, significantly below lights. At 129 for 2, the guests had been shaping a strong basis, with Steven Smith (48) and Cameron Inexperienced (46) main the way in which. However what adopted was a sensational unraveling—Australia collapsed to lose seven wickets for 68 runs.
The West Indian trio of Shamar Joseph (4-33), Jayden Seales (3-59), and Justin Greaves (3-56) shared all 10 wickets in a spirited efficiency. The collapse started shortly earlier than dinner when Seales produced a masterful supply that straightened late to take away Inexperienced, simply because the all-rounder was settling into rhythm.
Smith’s dismissal after the break, caught by King at slip off Shamar Joseph, triggered a frenetic remaining session. “The ball was doing a lot below the lights,” stated Joseph, who took his sequence tally to 17 wickets. “We simply needed to remain aggressive and hit the suitable areas.”
Star-studded begin undone by sharp bowling
Australia’s innings started in sedate style, with debutant Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja painstakingly compiling the longest opening stand of the sequence. The pair endured the brand new ball, reaching 50 for 1 by lunch—a gradual outfield and disciplined West Indian assault preserving scoring tight.
Konstas was dropped early by Anderson at third slip however ultimately fell to Greaves, trapped lbw. Khawaja, who had absorbed immense stress, succumbed to a surprising catch by Shai Hope off Joseph simply as he appeared set to anchor the innings.
Smith, aggressive from the outset, raced to 24 earlier than providing a stinging return catch that Jomel Warrican couldn’t maintain. Moments later, the ex-captain edged to King at slip.
Accidents mount for either side
The day’s drama wasn’t restricted to the scoreboard. West Indies had been pressured into three adjustments, two of them unplanned. Common opener Mikyle Louis suffered a knee harm after jarring it within the outfield, whereas John Campbell took a blow to the chest fielding at quick leg. Their absence meant debutant Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King opened the innings, with Anderson tragically bowled in his temporary keep.
Including to the hosts’ issues, Alzarri Joseph left the sector halfway by way of Australia’s innings with again stiffness and was despatched for scans. Substitute Anderson Phillip made a direct influence, snaring a exceptional diving catch to dismiss Travis Head, who had tried to elevate Greaves over the off-side.
All-out aggression: Australia’s tail wags briefly
Batting with reckless intent within the remaining overs, Australia’s tail briefly counterattacked. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey hoisted a six earlier than edging behind, whereas captain Pat Cummins thumped three maximums in a 21-ball cameo earlier than falling at long-on. Shamar Joseph wrapped issues up by eradicating Hazlewood, guaranteeing the West Indies bowlers remained the day’s undisputed protagonists.
Regardless of Starc’s late strike, it was clearly West Indies’ day—ending with the promise of extra if their makeshift high order can stand up to the stress of the pink ball on Sunday.
