The West Indies have been set a daunting 301-run target for victory in the Frank Worrell Trophy series opener after Australia’s lower order defied the challenging conditions on day three in Bridgetown.
The tourists posted 310 in the second innings courtesy of defiant half-centuries to vice-captain Travis Head, all-rounder Beau Webster and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, with West Indies quick Shamar Joseph taking a five-wicket haul, his fourth in Tests.
The hosts will draw inspiration from the feats of West Indies legend Brian Lara, who 26 years ago pulled off a similar run chase at the same venue against the same opposition.
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Following the previous evening’s top-order collapse, Australia was in a precarious position at 4-92 when play resumed on Friday, but Head and Webster combined for a gritty 102-run partnership to rebuild the innings.
The dangerous Head was handed a massive reprieve on 22 when Justin Greaves put down a regulation catch in the slips cordon, the West Indies’ seventh drop of the match. The missed chance proved costly, with the South Australian accelerating towards a half-century in just 77 deliveries, repeatedly targeting the cover region with a flurry of powerful drives.
However, the unpredictable Kensington Oval pitch continued to play tricks with variable bounce — moments before the lunch break, Head was floored by an unplayable grubber from Joseph that kept low and trapped him plumb on the pads. The West Indies paceman didn’t bother appealing, while Head forced a laugh before trudging off the field for 61.
MATCH CENTRE: West Indies vs Australia first Test scorecard
Webster passed fifty immediately after the break but fell victim to Joseph in unfortunate circumstances, tickling a wayward delivery down the leg side and caught behind by wicketkeeper Shai Hope for 63.
With Australia’s tail exposed, Carey launched into an entertaining counterattack that featured two spectacular sixes down the ground, charging as the West Indies fast bowlers on both occasions. The South Australian only needed 40 deliveries to reach a half-century.
Captain Pat Cummins departed for 9 after top-edging a miscued pull shot before Mitchell Starc slapped consecutive boundaries against Greaves, adding valuable runs to Australia’s lead.
Carey farmed the strike following Starc’s dismissal, with the West Indies spreading the field – but the left-hander responded by scooping Joseph over the wicketkeeper’s head for another extravagant boundary.
Desperate for a breakthrough, West Indies skipper Roston Chase brought himself into the attack late in the afternoon session, which proved a masterstroke when Carey lost his patience and holed out to long-off for a team-high 65.
Joseph sealed his five-wicket haul with the second new ball when tailender Josh Hazlewood chopped back onto his stumps for 12, with Nathan Lyon finishing unbeaten on 13.
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