“That’s the area we’re trying to exploit, and it’s been working for us so far,” said West Indies captain Roston Chase after his bowlers ripped through Australia’s top order in a tense final session on day two of the second Test at St George’s, Grenada.
Having conceded a narrow 33-run first-innings deficit, the hosts clawed back spectacularly in the last 30 minutes of play. Jayden Seales (2-5) produced a probing burst that dismantled Australia’s early momentum, removing Sam Konstas for a duck and trapping Usman Khawaja lbw for 2.
We saw there late at night, that’s the toughest time to bat with a new ball. If you can get through that, we’ve seen runs flow through the middle order. It’s unfortunate we lost two, but a good sign from Greeny and Gaz (Lyon) to get through. As long as we survive the new ball tomorrow, batting should be easier.
At stumps, Australia were 12 for 2 in six overs, effectively leading by 45 runs, with Cameron Green on 6* and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon on 2*.
Earlier, West Indies finally registered their first half-century of the series, thanks to Brandon Taylor’s determined 75 off 108 balls. John Campbell chipped in with a brisk 40, and late cameos from Alzarri Joseph (27) and Shamar Joseph (29) lifted the total to 253.
The innings began shakily. In his milestone 100th Test, Kraigg Brathwaite fell for an eight-ball duck, lobbing a return catch to Hazlewood. Soon after, Keacy Carty edged a fine catch to Pat Cummins, reducing West Indies to 40/2.
Taylor’s positive strokeplay steadied the innings. He shared a crucial 52-run stand with Shai Hope (21) that pulled West Indies from 117/4 to 169/4. But Cummins and Lyon wrested back control, removing Hope and Taylor on the same score. When Justin Greaves edged Lyon behind moments later, the hosts had slumped from 169/4 to 174/7 in a collapse of three wickets for five runs.
Despite the setback, Alzarri and Shamar Joseph played freely to frustrate Australia and reduce the deficit. Lyon finished with 3/75, while Hazlewood (2/43) and Cummins (2/46) shared five wickets.
When Australia came out to bat under fading light, the momentum swung sharply again. Seales exploited uneven bounce, bowling into the pads to force indecision from the top order. Konstas offered no shot as his stumps were shattered, and Khawaja’s lbw dismissal was upheld on review.
With the ball still new and the pitch offering variable bounce, West Indies will sense an opportunity to push for a decisive advantage on day three.
We just need to keep hitting those areas and stay patient. It’s about discipline, especially in that first session tomorrow.
Brief Scores: Australia 286 & 12/2 in 6 overs (Cameron Green 6*, Nathan Lyon 2*; Jayden Seales 2-5)
lead West Indies 253 all out (Brandon Taylor 75, John Campbell 40; Nathan Lyon 3-75, Josh Hazlewood 2-43, Pat Cummins 2-46) by 45 runs.
