When the shadows lengthened over the Nationwide Cricket Stadium, Jayden Seales delivered two thunderbolts that electrified Day Two.
The younger speedster knocked over each Australian openers—Sam Konstas and the seasoned Usman Khawaja—to depart the vacationers teetering at 12 for 2 and their general lead a modest 45 runs. “We needed an announcement earlier than stumps,” Seales mentioned. “These two wickets give us each probability tomorrow.”
Morning misfires: Brathwaite’s milestone dampened
Resuming at 0 for 0 and chasing Australia’s first‑innings 286, West Indies envisioned a celebratory knock from former skipper Kraigg Brathwaite in his one centesimal Check. As an alternative, a reflex return catch by Josh Hazlewood consigned the Barbadian to a golden duck—an ominous begin that learn 0 for 1 on the board.
Left‑hander John Campbell and stylish Keacy Carty soothed early nerves with flowing drives in a 33‑run stand. The partnership led to blinking‑gentle style: Carty’s defensive prod popped off pad and bat, just for Pat Cummins to dash and reel in a gravity‑defying one‑hander—“centimeters off the turf,” gasped commentators. Campbell quickly adopted, misjudging a stroll down the pitch to Beau Webster, lofting tamely to Mitchell Starc at mid‑on. At 64 for 3, the hosts wobbled once more.
King’s maiden Fifty and the Hope‑King alliance
In got here Brandon King, brimming with intent, and captain Roston Chase. They guided the rating to 110 for 3 at lunch, King on 39. But Hazlewood struck with the second new ball spell of the session—Chase was trapped plumb in entrance. Shai Hope joined King, crafting a serene 58‑run partnership that shifted the momentum. King vaulted to a maiden Check fifty, peppering the ropes with eight fours and three hovering sixes.
Collapse & counter‑punch: Lyon spins a Internet, Josephs counterattack
Simply because the tide appeared to show, Cummins breached Hope’s guard with an inswinging tracer bullet. Nathan Lyon added speedy insurance coverage, an UltraEdge assessment confirming glove contact to dispatch King for 75 from 108 balls. Lyon quickly eliminated Justin Greaves (1), shrinking the innings to 174 for 7. Enter the Caribbean cavalry: Shamar Joseph (29) and fellow fast Alzarri Joseph (27) collated a gutsy 51‑run stand for the eighth wicket, carving the deficit to a manageable 33 runs earlier than the tail folded at 253.
