Australia’s underperforming top order has once again failed to combat the West Indies fast bowlers, setting the scene for a riveting conclusion to the Frank Worrell Trophy series finale in Kingston.
The tourists were 6-99 at stumps, leading by just 181 runs, with Cameron Green (42*) and captain Pat Cummins (5*) unbeaten in the middle.
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Fifteen wickets fell during an eventful second day at Jamaica’s Sabina Park as both pace attacks wreaked havoc with the pink Dukes ball. The West Indies were bowled out for 143 in 52.1 overs, losing 7-51 in a dreadful collapse during the twilight session, before a further six Australian wickets toppled under floodlights following the dinner break.
However, a rearguard knock from Green, who is starting to settle into his new position at No. 3, ensured the West Indies will chase a tricky target in the fourth innings.
No player from either side has managed a half-century in the bowler-dominated contest, which in all likelihood will conclude on day three.
MATCH CENTRE: West Indies vs Australia third Test live scorecard
Resuming at 1-16 earlier on Sunday afternoon, makeshift opener Brandon King survived 30 minutes before Josh Hazlewood trapped him on the knee roll, given out LBW for 14. The West Indies batter reviewed and threw his head back in disbelief after ball-tracking technology suggested the delivery would have flicked the top of leg stump, thwarted by a millimetre.
Soon after, captain Roston Chase was given out caught behind while facing Scott Boland, but the on-field decision was overturned after replays showed the Victorian seamer had overstepped. Australia’s frustration grew when John Campbell, having recovered from a bruised collarbone, survived a potential run-out because the tourists neglected to appeal.
Cummins broke the third-wicket stand late in the afternoon session after Chase failed to get his bat out of the way while attempting to leave a bumper, edging to first slip for 18.
Early in the twilight session, Campbell trudged off for 36 after allowing a length delivery from Boland to thud into his front pad, plumb LBW. Shortly after, the recalled Mikyle Louis lost his patience and attempted a wild slog against Hazlewood, playing across the line and bowled for 7.
Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey had a forgettable afternoon with the gloves, putting down two chances – all-rounder Justin Greaves was gifted a reprieve on 1 after Carey dived in front of first slip and dropped a catch, while rival gloveman Shai Hope survived on 21 when the South Australian grassed a low chance off the inside edge.
However, Carey breathed a sigh of relief the very next ball when Boland knocked over Hope with an unplayable delivery that seamed through the gate and rattled the pegs. The following over, Alzarri Joseph fell victim to all-rounder Beau Webster after spooning a regulation chance towards mid-on for 2, exposing the West Indies tail.
Teenager Sam Konstas produced a rocket throw from the boundary to run out Greaves for 18, with Boland whipping off the bails at the non-striker’s end as the Barbadian returned for a third run.
Cummins and Boland, who finished with team-best figures of 3-34, cleaned up the West Indies lower order before the dinner break, ensuring the Australians took an 82-run lead into the second innings.
Shamar Joseph removed both openers during his scintillating first spell, continuing his stranglehold over Australia’s batters. Konstas departed for a fifth-ball duck after wafting at a wide delivery and edging towards gully, while Usman Khawaja chopped on for 14 having miscued an ill-judged cover drive.
The Australians were suddenly in dire straits at 3-28 when the flat-footed Steve Smith left a gap between bat and pad while facing Alzarri Joseph, with an inside edge ricocheting into the stumps.
Green should have been run out for 14 after a mix-up with Travis Head, left stranded in the middle of the pitch after taking off for a quick single, but West Indies debutant Kevlon Anderson bottled the chance, missing the stumps at the striker’s end. However, Anderson redeemed himself the following over by swallowing a low catch at second slip to remove the dangerous Head for 16, with Greaves the wicket-taker.
Webster clobbered a couple of elegant boundaries before Joseph produced an absolute seed that nipped away from the Tasmanian and thudded into off stump, bowled for 13.
Joseph’s next delivery crashed into Carey’s helmet, with team physios running onto the field to conduct a concussion test. Potentially still dazed by the head knock, the left-hander charged at Joseph a couple of deliveries later and nicked to first slip, gone for a third-ball duck.
Adding to the drama, the West Indies opted not to review Cummins’ second delivery, which was gloved down the leg side, with the hosts missing another run-out chance after Chase threw towards the wrong end.
Green and Cummins added 30 crucial runs before stumps to put the match back in the balance, with the final delivery of the day dropping agonisingly short of bat-pad.
The third Test between the West Indies and Australia will resume on Tuesday at 4.30am AEST.
