Australia’s batting woes continue with poor start to second West Indies Test

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"Australia Struggles with Batting in Second Test Against West Indies"

Australia’s batting woes continue with poor start to second West Indies Test analysis cover image The Guardian 8.6
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/03/australias-batting-woes-continue-with-poor-start-to-second-west-indies-test
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Australia's struggles with batting continued during the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada, as they found themselves in a precarious position at 93-4 by lunchtime on the first day. Captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first after winning the toss, aiming to secure a series-clinching victory at a venue where Australia has never played a Test match. Despite the return of Steve Smith, who made a remarkable comeback just 20 days post a severe finger injury, his presence did not prevent early dismissals. Smith was dismissed after a brief appearance, following Usman Khawaja, who fell leg before wicket for 16 runs, and Sam Konstas, who managed 25 runs before his dismissal. The innings appeared to stabilize momentarily with Travis Head and Cameron Green at the crease, but Green was also dismissed for 26 runs, caught by West Indies captain Roston Chase off the bowling of Jayden Seales.

Australia, having won the first Test by 159 runs, is looking to maintain their dominance over the West Indies, a team they have only lost to once in their last 22 encounters. A victory in this match would mark the 58th unique venue where Australia has secured a Test win. The stakes are high as the team aims for their fourth consecutive series win, having previously triumphed against India, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. The match also marks a milestone for West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite, who is set to play his 100th Test match in Grenada. With the historical context of the ground, where all previous Test victories have gone to teams batting second, the decision to bat first raises questions and adds an element of uncertainty to the match, as noted by coach Andrew McDonald, who described it as 'a step into the unknown.'He emphasized the need for the batting lineup to adapt quickly to the conditions and regain their confidence to avoid further setbacks in the series.

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Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/03/australias-batting-woes-continue-with-poor-start-to-second-west-indies-test

Australia’s batting troubles continued after they slumped to 93-4 at lunch after winning the toss and opting to bat first on the first day of the second Test against West Indies in Grenada.

Captain Pat Cummins chose to take first dig at St George’s on Thursday (Friday AEST) as Australia hunt a series-clinching victory at a ground where they’ve never before played a Test match.

But even though Steve Smithmade a remarkable returnjust 20 days after suffering a nasty compound dislocation of his finger, the stalwart was already back in the pavilion by lunch after being one of four batters dismissed.

He followed Usman Khawaja trapped leg before for 16 and Sam Konstas who was out for 25.

Travis Head and Cameron Green looked to have steadied things for the tourists before the big allrounder was caught by West Indies skipper Roston Chase off Jayden Seales for 26.

Australia,who won the first Test by 159 runsin Barbados, have lost only one of their last 22 men’s Tests against West Indies and victory at the island country’s National Stadium would be the 58th unique venue at which they have won a Test match.

With just one previous visit to Grenada for an ODI back in 2008, Australia will retain the Frank Worrell Trophy, which they have held since 1995, if they back up their 159-run win in the first Test.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald called it “a step into the unknown,” with just four Test matches played at St George’s.

And Cummins’ decision goes against the grain of recent history – all three previous Test victories at the ground have been earned by the side batting second on a surface that often produces help for pace rather than spin.

The 36-year-old Smith batted for almost an hour in his first training session since rejoining the Test squad last Sunday as he acclimatised to wearing a protective splint after dislocating his right little finger during the World Test Championship final.

He batted No 4 in the hope that he could bolster Australia’s top order with Josh Inglis, who played two poor shots to get out in the first Test win last week, missing out.

A win will give Australia their fourth straight series win after beating India (3-1) at home and Sri Lanka (2-0) and New Zealand (2-0) away.

For West Indies, Kraigg Brathwaite will become the 10th West Indies player to play 100 Test matches when he reaches the milestone in Grenada.

Six players have scored Test centuries in Grenada, including 32-year-old Brathwaite. Chris Gayle is the only player with a double-century.

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Source: The Guardian