WI vs AUS | First Test in balance as West Indies pacers run through Australian top order again

‌The first Test between West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval in Barbados hung in the balance as the visitors ended the day at 92/4, an overall lead of 82 runs in the match. Earlier in the day, the West Indies could not push home the advantage after dismissing the visitors for a sub-par total as they were shot out for 190 with a slender lead of 10 runs in the first innings.

Starting the day at 57/4, the Windies lost overnight batter Brandon King, who was cleaned up by Josh Hazlewood in the seventh over of the day. Skipper Roston Chase and new batter Shai Hope rebuilt the innings with a 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket as the home side looked set to get a formidable lead over the visitors. But Australian captain Pat Cummins trapped his counterpart in front of the wicket in a tight call. Chase, who made 44, reviewed the decision but the third umpire ruled in favour of the on-field call with replays showing no conclusive spike though there were smaller ones as the ball passed the bat. From then on, the home side could add only 51 runs losing their last five wickets in the process. Hope top-scored for the Windies with 48 before being dismissed in controversial fashion again as replays did not prove beyond doubt that wicketkeeper Alex Carey took the catch cleanly. For Australia, Mitchell Starc picked up three wickets while Cummins, Hazlewood and Beau Webster had two wickets apiece.

For the second time in the game, the Australian top-order could not handle the pace attack of the hosts as four batters were back in the dressing room without making significant contributions. First innings half-centurion Travis Head was unbeaten at the crease on 13 with Beau Webster, who made 19, when play ended on day two with the visitors having an overall lead of 82 runs. All four pacers, who bowled in the second innings, picked up a wicket apiece for the West Indies.