Wicketkeeper Alex Carey and all-rounder Beau Webster have led Australia’s fightback after the top order failed yet again on day one of the second Test against the West Indies at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium.
The tourists were 5-209 at tea, with Carey (51*) and Webster (43*) unbeaten in the middle.
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After Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first in St George’s, openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja added 47 before the tourists 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.
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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.
Carey and Webster launched into a much-needed counterpunch, combining for an unbeaten 99-run partnership to rebuild the innings 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.
Elsewhere, veteran opener Kraigg Brathwaite is celebrating his 100th Test match, becoming the tenth West Indies cricketer to achieve the feat.
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