King and Seales give a glimpse of West Indies’ test mechanisms as both showcase adaptability and ferocity in equal measure.
King and Seales do their bit to make West Indies’ grand plan work.
Jayden Seales contributed to keeping Australia’s openers waiting for 51 minutes, unsure of when they would actually need to pad up and sprint off. When it occurred, he delivered two blows that might have serious immediate and long-term effects.
Australia’s batting time would have been nearer an hour and a half if the final wicket for the West Indies had gone quickly. That does not imply that things would have gone any better for them, but what they ultimately had was one of those situations where they had nothing to gain. Players in different stages of their careers, Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja, were unable to finish.
As he entered the changing room, Konstas appeared dejected and dragged on for a duck, his third single-figure score of the series. Once more, Khawaja was pinned leg before wicket. Despite his insistence that he has no issue with that angle, the evidence is beginning to go in a different direction.
On a ground that is playing tricks, albeit not quite as quickly as Barbados, Australia leads by 42. However, things might alter on the third day, and the new ball is particularly difficult. “Anything under 200 runs, I think we’ll be able to get that,” Roston Chase, the captain of the West Indies, stated.
From a somewhat longer perspective, the day-night Test in Jamaica next week could be crucial in determining how Australia’s top order develops for the Ashes later this year. Konstas will play at Sabina Park unless the selectors make a significant change. With two innings remaining, he needs to score a significant enough total to at least defuse the controversy around him.
In the meanwhile, Khawaja’s spot is secure if you believe what the selectors said. Even though he was dropped on six, his 47 in the first innings in Barbados was significant, but it’s difficult to overlook the dismissal pattern.
Despite the ideal circumstances, the bowlers from the West Indies have been outstanding in maintaining pressure on the pair. The plans have been finalised. Shamar Joseph took advantage of a technical flaw in Barbados by bringing the ball back at Konstas twice. He has fallen behind driving and dragged on trying to play through the off side now that he is in Grenada, obviously trying to play more positively.
After a two-year hiatus, Chase was elected captain, and coach Daren Sammy is leading this West Indies squad into a new era. Their strength is undoubtedly bowling, but they also showed indications of the larger concepts they are attempting to present with the bat.
Brandon King had the most important innings, scoring his first Test fifty and combining aggressiveness (including three sixes) with strong defence. Sammy clarified that King, a player best known for his white-ball exploits, had been selected for a particular purpose when the series’ lineup was announced.
It appeared as though things would go wrong for the West Indies twice on the second day, at 64 for 3 and 174 for 7. However, they worked hard to stay in the game, so much so that Australia was relieved to see the clock run out when Lyon was treated for a knock to the arm in what turned out to be the last over.
On the third day in Barbados, the West Indies were unable to remain with Australia. They have now given themselves another opportunity.