Day two of the Test match between Australia and West Indies at Sabina Park, Kingston, delivered exactly the kind of unpredictable drama that makes the format compelling. A staggering fifteen wickets tumbled throughout Sunday, leaving the contest delicately poised with Australia holding a 181-run lead but having lost six wickets in their second innings.
Resuming at a tentative 16 for 1 in response to Australia`s 225, West Indies aimed to build a solid foundation. The morning session saw periods of watchful play interspersed with moments of pressure. Australian pacers, notably **Josh Hazlewood**, found just enough movement to trouble the batters. **Brandon King** fell early, trapped leg before by a nipping delivery from Hazlewood, a decision upheld on review, much to the batsman`s visible disappointment.
Despite some testing overs and a few anxious moments, including **Scott Boland**`s recurring issues with overstepping the mark – giving the West Indies batters extra lives or practice balls, depending on your perspective – the hosts managed to reach lunch relatively intact at 73 for 3. **Roston Chase** showed application, frustrating the Australian attack before eventually chasing a wide delivery from captain **Pat Cummins** and edging behind.
However, the post-lunch session saw the momentum swing decisively. The Australian bowlers, clicking into gear, ripped through the remaining West Indies lineup with remarkable efficiency. Even as wicket-keeper **Alex Carey** spilled a couple of chances – because what`s a Test match without a bit of fielding drama? – and Boland continued his footwork gymnastics, the wickets fell quickly. **John Campbell** was caught plumb in front not offering a shot, a dismissal that summarises a rough patch for any opener. **Mikyle Louis** and **Shai Hope** were cleaned up, showcasing the bowlers` ability to hit the stumps. A run-out added to the West Indies` woes, and the lower order offered minimal resistance, collapsing from a promising position to 143 all out. This gave Australia a crucial first-innings lead of 82 runs.
Having secured the advantage, one might expect Australia to consolidate and build a commanding lead. West Indies, however, had other ideas. Their own pace attack, seemingly re-energised by the challenge, hit back hard and immediately. Opener **Sam Konstas** lasted just two deliveries, getting a thick edge to gully – a dreaded fate for any debutant or early-innings batter. While **Cameron Green** looked composed and struck some confident boundaries, wickets began tumbling around him with alarming regularity.
**Usman Khawaja** was bowled for 14, failing to build on his start. Then, **Alzarri Joseph** unleashed a devastating spell that tore through the heart of the Australian middle order. He clean bowled both **Steve Smith** and **Beau Webster** with deliveries that found the mark with precision. **Travis Head**`s brief stay ended meekly, edging to second slip. Joseph wasn`t finished, adding **Alex Carey** to his collection for a duck just two balls after dismissing Webster, creating a double-wicket maiden that epitomised the chaotic nature of the day.
At 99 for 6, Australia found themselves in a precarious position, their hard-earned first-innings lead suddenly looking less substantial. The final nine overs of the day became a tense battle for survival. **Cameron Green**, standing firm amidst the collapse, saw out the day unbeaten on 42, finding a resolute partner in captain **Pat Cummins**. Together, they navigated the tricky period, ensuring no further damage was done before the stumps were drawn.
Day two was a fascinating display of Test cricket`s ebb and flow. Australia secured the vital first-innings lead and finished with a numerical advantage, but West Indies` spirited fightback with the ball has ensured this match remains wide open heading into day three. Green and Cummins face the task of extending the lead to a more comfortable margin, while West Indies will sense an opportunity to restrict them and chase down a potentially gettable target on what is clearly a pitch offering plenty for the bowlers.
Brief Scores: Australia 225 & 99/6 (Cameron Green 42*, Pat Cummins 4*; Alzarri Joseph 3-19) lead West Indies 143 (John Campbell 36; Scott Boland 3-34) by 181 runs.
