After the disappointment of the World Test Championship final defeat, Australia’s return to the Caribbean was always going to feel like a bit of a reset heading into the new WTC cycle.
But that was accelerated by the axing of long-time No.3 turned opener Marnus Labuschagne and the injury to superstar Steve Smith (he could return for the second Test), forcing changes to the Aussie batting line-up.
It turns the national men’s side’s first Test matches in the West Indies in 10 years into a series of auditions for this summer’s blockbuster Ashes series, and for the future as well.
West Indies vs Australia Test & T20I Series | Watch every ball LIVE with ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Sam Konstas, ignored for the Sri Lanka tour and WTC final, will return to the side while Josh Inglis – who starred with a century on debut in Sri Lanka – gets another audition for a long-term position.
Travis Head has waved off suggestions he would open with Konstas likely to partner Usman Khawaja with Inglis or Cameron Green at No.3.
BATTING STATE OF PLAY: The first Aussie Test domino has fallen. These men are banging down the door
How the new-look Aussie XI will perform isn’t the only mystery, with the pitch at Bridgetown for the Opening Test a bit of an unknown.
It rained during Australia’s training session on Sunday meaning they didn’t get a look at the Kensington Oval surface, but it’s believed the team is considering picking two spinners given Barbados has historically provided a slow-bowler friendly pitch later in innings.
That would give Matt Kuhnemann, who starred with 16 wickets on this year’s tour of Sri Lanka, another run alongside Nathan Lyon.
In turn that would squeeze out a quick, meaning the likes of Scott Boland and potential debutant Sean Abbott would find it more difficult to nab a spot while one of the big three of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc is rested.
“I think we’re prepared for anything, really, and we’re prepared for probably both in the same game,” Head said on Sunday.
“It could be starting a game and then it could shift into different modes, different, I guess, plans of attack.
“As a batter, you’re sort of planning for anything at the moment and then once you get a look at the lay of the land you come up with a plan.
“At the moment, we’re trying to cover all bases.”
The series will use a Dukes ball, as seen at Sheffield Shield level pre-2020, with Head explaining “it always offers something through the whole time, it’s a little bit harder and plays a little bit different to the English one.
“If there’s any grass on the wicket or any assistance, then the bowlers will be happy – which is good, it makes for good cricket.
“It makes you always feel like you’re in the game and as a batter through those years I did enjoy batting through those periods because I felt like there was always runs on offer if the bowlers slightly missed.”
The third Test of the series will be played under lights in Jamaica, marking Australia’s first pink-ball Test overseas after winning 12 of 13 played at home.
The only loss was the infamous Gabba defeat to the West Indies in January 2024.
In the end, all Aussie eyes will be on the Caribbean – and will likely feature dark rings given the overnight timings for the Tests.
But those eyes will be pinching glances at November 21 in Perth, as well, for the opening of the Ashes.
Here’s your ultimate guide to Australia’s tour of the West Indies as they contest the Frank Worrell Trophy.
HOW CAN I WATCH AUSTRALIA’S TESTS vs THE WEST INDIES?
Foxtel and Kayo are the best place to watch Australia’s Tour of the West Indies.
Every ball of the three Tests and five T20Is will be shown via ESPN.
West Indies vs Australia Test & T20I Series | Watch every ball LIVE with ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE MATCHES BEING PLAYED?
First Test: June 25-29, Bridgetown, Barbados (from midnight AEST, ie morning of June 26)
Second Test: July 3-7, St George’s, Grenada (from midnight AEST, ie morning of July 4)
Third Test: July 13-17, Kingston, Jamaica (from 4:30am AEST)
Australia’s Test squad
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Sean Abbott (replacing Brendan Doggett), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
West Indies’ Test squad
Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales
First T20I: July 20, Kingston, Jamaica (July 21, 9am AEST)
Second T20I: July 22, Kingston, Jamaica (July 23, 9am AEST)
Third T20I: July 25, Basseterre, St Kitts (July 26, 8am AEST)
Fourth T20I: July 26, Basseterre, St Kitts (July 27, 8am AEST)
Fifth T20I: July 28, Basseterre, St Kitts (July 29, 8am AEST)
Australia’s T20 squad
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
SESSION TIMES FOR AUSTRALIA’S TESTS IN WEST INDIES
First Session: 10am – 12pm local (12am – 2am AEST, next day)
Second Session: 12.40pm – 2.40pm local (2.40am – 4.40am AEST, next day)
Third Session: 3pm – 5pm local (5am – 7am AEST, next day)
An extra 30 minutes can be used to complete daily overs
WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WEST INDIES?
Shamar Joseph, the Guyanese hero of the West Indies’ Gabba upset, remains the team’s star as they enter this series in a state of flux.
Captain Roston Chase hasn’t played a Test in over two years but replaces Kraigg Brathwaite, who stepped down earlier this year, while white-ball captain and wicketkeeper Jomel Warrican is primed to play his first Test since 2021 after Joshua Da Silva did not make the squad.
Another returning face is John Campbell, the opener with 20 Tests under his belt who hasn’t featured at the level in three years. Brandon King and Kevlon Anderson received maiden Test squad call-ups.
AUSTRALIA’S HISTORY vs WEST INDIES
Australia is unbeaten in 13 consecutive Test series against the West Indies, with the last series loss coming 2-1 in January 1993 at home.
The Aussies have also won three consecutive series overall, their best streak since the eight straight series wins across November 2005 to June 2008.
In the Caribbean in Tests, Australia has an all-time record of four wins, four losses and three draws. They won both Tests in the most recent tour in 2015, at Roseau (nine wickets) and at Kingston (277 runs).
On the previous tour, there was a draw at Port of Spain but Aussie wins at Bridgetown (three wickets) and Roseau (75 runs).
Australia has never played a Test in Grenada before.
