Wicketkeeper Alex Carey and all-rounder Beau Webster cracked fifties after Australia’s top order failed yet again on a rain-affected day one of the second Test against the West Indies at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium.
After captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first in St George’s, the tourists were bowled out for 286 in 66.5 overs, with paceman Alzarri Joseph taking four wickets.
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The West Indies fast bowlers once again ran through Australia’s underperforming top order, who continued to create headaches for national selectors ahead of the marquee Ashes series on home soil.
However, following an early collapse of 5-63, Webster (60 from 115 balls) and Carey (63 from 81 balls) combined for a 112-run stand, the highest partnership of the series, to rescue the Australians and revive the innings.
In bizarre scenes, the West Indies openers walked out to bat for the start of their innings in the evening session, only for the umpires to call stumps due to poor light — much to Australia’s frustration.
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Earlier, Australian openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja added 47 in a promising start before the visitors lost three quick wickets on either side of the drinks break.
Moments after Khawaja notched his 6000th Test run — becoming the 16th Australian to reach the milestone — West Indies quick Alzarri Joseph trapped him on the pads for 16 with a hooping inswinger. The Queenslander called for a review, with the ball clipping the top of the bails on Hawkeye for an Umpire’s Call verdict, almost identical to his dismissal during the second innings in Barbados.
The following over, Konstas feathered behind for 25, his highest Test score since Boxing Day, after wafting at a wide delivery from seamer Anderson Phillip, who was picked in the West Indies starting XI ahead of vice-captain Jomel Warrican.
Australia was suddenly in dire straits at 3-50 when the returning Steve Smith, having recovered from a finger injury he sustained during last month’s World Test Championship final, top-edged a pull shot towards deep fine leg to become Joseph’s second victim, gone for 3.
John Campbell grassed a simple chance at cover to gift Cameron Green an extra life during the final over before lunch, but the West Australian couldn’t make the most of the reprieve, caught at gully a few deliveries later for 25, with Jayden Seales the wicket-taker.
The afternoon session was delayed by rain, but Travis Head didn’t last long following the resumption of play – speedster Shamar Joseph got a delivery to jump off a good length and kiss the glove, with wicketkeeper Shai Hope grabbing a one-handed chance low to his left.
With Australia in a spot of bother at 5-110, Carey and Webster launched into a much-needed counterpunch, combining for a century partnership and frustrate the West Indies bowlers.
The South Australian was living a charmed life in the middle, with multiple edges evading the slips fielders. Joseph missed a run-out chance at the non-striker’s end on 8, Hope dropped a tough catch above his head on 46, while Justin Greaves’ shy at the stumps was also wayward, with Carey surviving on 51.
Carey’s luck finally ran out early in the evening session, toppled by Greaves for 63 after miscuing a pull shot towards mid-wicket.
The pitch continued to play tricks as Alzarri Joseph produced an unplayable grubber that essentially rolled into the stumps, removing Cummins for 17 before the dreaded rain returned, which forced another delay.
Farming the strike alongside Australia’s tailenders, Webster copped boos from impatient crowd members as he rejected easy singles, ultimately run out for 60 after attempting a suicidal double. Joseph cleaned up the tail, finishing with 4-61 from 15.5 overs.
Elsewhere, veteran opener Kraigg Brathwaite is celebrating his 100th Test match, becoming the tenth West Indies cricketer to achieve the feat.
The second Test between the West Indies and Australia will resume on Friday at 11.49pm AEST.
