The bowlers continued to rule in the Barbados Test, with West Indies tightening their grip on Australia by the end of Day 2.
Australia’s bowlers had done well to cover up their batters’ first-innings failure, but the top order faltered again in the second innings. For West Indies, it was quite the opposite — their batting couldn’t build on the momentum from their bowling effort. Still, it’s the bowlers who have reignited their chances.
It’s a low-scoring thriller that’s heating up quickly within just two days. At this point, West Indies seem slightly ahead. Australia ended Day 2 at 92 for 4, holding an 82-run lead with six wickets remaining.
In response to Australia’s first-innings total of 180, West Indies managed 190, thanks in part to a late cameo from Alzarri Joseph, who scored an unbeaten 23 off 20 balls at No. 9 to give his side a slender lead.
Resuming on 57 for 4, West Indies lost Brandon King early for 29 as he was bowled leaving a delivery from Josh Hazlewood. Then came their best stand — a 67-run partnership between debutant captain Roston Chase and returnee Shai Hope.
Both batters fell in the 40s amid questionable decisions. Chase, on 44, was adjudged LBW — and though he reviewed immediately, UltraEdge showed faint spikes, but not enough to overturn the umpire’s call.
Hope, who made 48, fell to a brilliant one-handed catch by Alex Carey — but replays raised doubts over whether the ball touched the ground. Between their dismissals, Justin Greaves also departed cheaply.
At one point, it looked like Australia would regain the lead. But Joseph’s aggressive knock swung the momentum back to West Indies.
Australia’s second innings began with Sam Konstas getting two reprieves on zero — first dropped by Campbell at third slip, then by Greaves at second, both off Shamar Joseph.
Head coach Darren Sammy was visibly frustrated on the sidelines as West Indies dropped their sixth catch of the match — five of them off Shamar’s bowling.
Konstas, after a nervy 53-minute stay, was finally bowled by Shamar for 5 off 38 balls. Usman Khawaja, who had resisted well in the first innings, managed just 15 this time before Alzarri Joseph got him.
Cameron Green (15 off 47) and Josh Inglis (12 off 33) tried to steady the innings but couldn’t stay long. Travis Head, who hit the match’s only fifty in the first innings, remains unbeaten alongside Beau Webster, giving Australia a glimmer of hope.
Brief Scores
Australia 1st Innings: 180
West Indies 1st Innings: 190 in 63.2 overs (King 26, Chase 44, Hope 48, Joseph 23*; Starc 3/65, Hazlewood 2/41, Cummins 2/34, Webster 2/20)
Australia 2nd Innings: 92/4 in 33 overs (Head 13*, Webster 19*; Seales 1/24, Shamar 1/15, Alzarri 1/16, Greaves 1/27)
