Australia take slim control after a 15-wicket day at Sabina Park, leading West Indies by 181 runs with 4 wickets in hand. Green & Cummins stand tall.
🌞 A Day of Twists: 15 Wickets Tumble at Sabina Park
The second day of the Kingston Test at Sabina Park was nothing short of a rollercoaster. With 15 wickets falling across two innings, the match swung wildly in favor of bowlers, keeping both Australia and the West Indies in the hunt.
Yet by stumps, it was Australia who held a slender edge, boasting a 181-run lead despite being reduced to 99 for 6 in their second innings.
The day was highlighted by Alzarri Joseph’s fiery burst, Shamar Joseph’s relentless probing, and some nervy moments for Aussie batters under bright Caribbean skies.
🔥 How It All Unfolded: West Indies’ Fragile Fightback
A Watchful Start Ends Abruptly
Resuming the day on 16 for 1, after dismissing Australia for 225 on Day 1, the West Indies openers began cautiously.
- Brandon King looked solid until Josh Hazlewood found a perfect delivery that nipped in sharply to trap him lbw. Even a review couldn’t save King — it was umpire’s call.
Chase Fights, But Cummins Strikes
Roston Chase tried to anchor the innings, showing admirable grit. However, once Pat Cummins entered the attack, Chase couldn’t resist a wide ball and edged to slips.
By Lunch, West Indies were 73 for 3, seemingly steady but on the brink of collapse.
💥 The Afternoon Slide: Aussie Pacers Run Riot
Boland Oversteps, But Keeps Pressure
Scott Boland struggled with his front foot, overstepping multiple times, offering small reprieves. But otherwise, the Australian bowlers tightened the screws.
- John Campbell played around his pads and was trapped lbw without offering a shot.
- Mikyle Louis and Shai Hope saw their stumps disturbed in quick succession.
A Run Out Adds to the Chaos
Justin Greaves was then run out after a mix-up, pushing the hosts deeper into trouble. The lower order offered little, folding for 143, giving Australia an 82-run first-innings lead.
📝 Brief Scorecard Snapshot
West Indies 143 (John Campbell 36, Shai Hope 23; Boland 3-34, Cummins 2-24)
vs
Australia 225 (Smith 48, Green 46; Shamar Joseph 4-33, Greaves 3-56, Seales 3-59)
Australia led by 82 runs after the first innings, setting the stage for a tricky evening.
🚨 Windies Strike Back: Alzarri & Shamar’s Magic
Early Trouble for Australia
Australia’s second innings started on a sour note.
- In just the second over, Sam Konstas edged to gully and departed for a duck, giving West Indies immediate hope.
Cameron Green looked composed, hitting some crisp boundaries, but the Aussies kept losing wickets around him.
Alzarri Joseph Unleashes a Storm 🌪️
- Usman Khawaja was cleaned up by a peach for 14.
- Then came Alzarri’s moment: he uprooted Steve Smith’s stumps and dismissed Beau Webster with a searing delivery.
- In his next burst, Alzarri removed Alex Carey for a duck, finishing the day with 3 for 19.
Meanwhile, Shamar Joseph kept things tight, ensuring pressure never eased.
🧭 Green & Cummins Steer Australia to Stumps
Amid the carnage, Cameron Green was Australia’s beacon. Though he had two nervous moments while running, he survived to reach 42 not out by stumps.
Captain Pat Cummins, calm as ever, stood firm at the other end. Together, they negotiated the final nine overs without loss, pushing Australia to 99 for 6, extending the lead to 181 runs — not commanding yet, but definitely crucial on a spicy pitch.
🔍 Where the Match Stands: Key Takeaways & Analysis
Why Australia Still Hold the Edge
- Despite losing six wickets, Australia have a significant 181-run lead on a pitch that is deteriorating.
- If Green and Cummins can stretch the lead past 220-230, the match could tilt heavily Australia’s way given the cracks appearing.
West Indies’ Missed Moments
- They allowed Australia to build small partnerships in the first innings, turning a 160-170 target into 225.
- In their batting, the slow 46-run stand between Phillips and Ravindra consumed 42 balls, stalling momentum when they needed to attack.
Still, credit to the Windies bowlers for fighting back. Alzarri in particular has been superb, using the conditions expertly.
💡 Added Context: Sabina Park’s History With Wild Tests
Sabina Park has a long history of dramatic collapses and stunning bowling days. From Curtly Ambrose’s magic to Glenn McGrath’s tours, this ground often turns into a nightmare for batters by Day 3.
This Test seems headed that way. Expect variable bounce, widening cracks, and more fun for seamers.
🗣️ What Captains Might Be Thinking
- Pat Cummins: “Every single run tomorrow morning will be gold dust. If we can push the lead beyond 220, we back our pacers on this surface.”
- Kraigg Brathwaite (stand-in for the day as Maxwell was off the field for a session): “If we can knock them over quickly, chasing 180-190 at home, we back our batters.”
🎯 Key Stats So Far
📊 Leading Bowlers:
- Shamar Joseph: 4-33 in first innings
- Alzarri Joseph: 3-19 in second innings so far
📊 Top Scorers:
- Quinton de Kock: 77 (previous match, context for Green’s role here)
- Cameron Green: 42* (carrying hopes into Day 3)
🏆 What to Expect on Day 3
Day 3 could decide the match:
- If Australia reach 220-240 ahead, the odds swing sharply their way.
- But if West Indies strike early and chase under 200, it becomes a 50-50 contest on a tricky track.
🚀 Conclusion: Classic Test Cricket Drama in the Caribbean 🌴
The Sabina Park pitch has ensured a fascinating old-school Test match, where every run matters and every over is a fresh battle. With Alzarri and Shamar Joseph breathing fire, and Cameron Green and Cummins showing grit, we’re all set for a captivating third day.
Stay tuned — because cricket doesn’t get better than this! 🏏🔥
