Barbados, June 27 (UNI) In a gripping contest dominated by pace and controversy, the opening Test between Australia and West Indies at Kensington Oval has hurtled ahead with 24 wickets falling in just two days. At stumps on Day 2, Australia were 92 for 4 in their second innings, holding a slender 82-run lead in a low-scoring thriller.
Earlier, West Indies managed to eke out a 10-run first-innings lead, thanks to a fighting partnership between returning batsman Shai Hope (48) and skipper Roston Chase (44), after resuming the day at 72 for 5. However, both were dismissed in contentious fashion after lunch, with third umpire Adrian Holdstock ruling close calls in Australia’s favour.
Hope’s edge and Chase’s LBW dismissal, both challenged by the hosts, left the Caribbean fand divided. West Indies were eventually bundled out for 190, with Starc (3/65) leading the Aussie attack, supported ably by Joshi Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Beau Webster with two wickets each.
Australia’s second innings began shakily, with Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph removing openers Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas cheaply. Jayden Seales bowled Joshi Inglis, and Justin Greaves sent Cameron Green back after a failed DRS review. At 65/4, Australia were under pressure, but Travis Head and Beau Webster (19*) held firm to take the visitors to 92/4 by close of play.
Brief Scores:
Australia 180 & 92/4 (Webster 19*; Shamar Joseph 1-15, Jayden Seales 1-24)
West Indies 190 (Hope 48, Chase 44; Starc 3-65, Cummins 2-34, Hazlewood 2-41, Webster 2-20)
Australia lead West Indies by 82 runs at stumps, Day 2.
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