Australia's first innings in the second Test against the West Indies at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada was all out for 286 runs. The top order of Australia failed once again on a rain-affected day.
WI vs AUS 2nd Test: In the second Test match being played at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, the West Indies fast bowlers decimated Australia's star batting lineup. The play on the first day, affected by rain, was disappointing for Australia, with their innings ending at 286 runs.
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first, but the team's start was not as steady as expected. Openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja did manage a 47-run partnership, giving some positive start, but after that, the wickets started falling.
After the drinks break, the West Indies bowlers made a great comeback, first sending Khawaja to the pavilion. Khawaja completed his 6000 Test runs in this innings and became the 16th Australian batsman to do so, but he was out immediately after this achievement. In the very next over, Konstas also walked back after scoring 25 runs, which was his best score in the last few Test matches.
Australia's situation worsened when Steve Smith was caught at deep fine leg off Alzarri Joseph's delivery after scoring just 3 runs. There were hopes with Smith's return, but he too could not stay. After this, Cameron Green was given a lifeline by John Campbell just before lunch, but Green could not take advantage of this opportunity and was caught at slip after scoring 25 runs a while later.
West Indies' brilliant bowling performance
Alzarri Joseph was the most impressive bowler for the West Indies, taking four important wickets and breaking the back of the Australian top order. Apart from him, Kemar Roach and Shamar Brooks also kept the pressure on the batsmen with accurate line and length. At one point, Australia's score was 63 runs for 5 wickets, and it seemed that the team would be dismissed within 150 runs. But after that, Alex Carey and Beau Webster took the responsibility of handling the innings and gave some relief to the team by making a crucial partnership of 112 runs for the sixth wicket.
Webster scored 60 runs in 115 balls, which included four attractive fours, while Carey played a sensible innings of 63 runs in 81 balls. The partnership of these two took Australia past 200 runs and saved the team's honor.
Rain and bad light affected the game
The play on the first day was interrupted several times due to rain. In the final session, when the West Indies started batting, bad light forced the umpires to declare stumps. The West Indies openers did not get much opportunity and the chance to take the innings forward without any loss was postponed to the next day.
Once again, Australia's top order completely failed, which has increased the concern of the team's selectors, especially before the Ashes series. The cheap dismissal of an experienced batsman like Steve Smith and the return of other players without staying on the pitch can prove to be a headache for the team management.
