Test hangs in the balance as West Indies seamers dismiss Australian top order

By SABC Sport
27th June 2025

Australia have a narrow 82-run lead with six wickets in hand in their second innings as the Kensington Oval in the West Indies continues to prove a challenge.

No fewer than 24 wickets have fallen across two days of the first Test. The pitch has been a bowler's delight, with seamers scooping 22 of the wickets to fall.

Brandon King and Roston Chase resumed with the hosts at 57/4. Debutant King fell for a gritty 26 after leaving a straight one from Josh Hazelwood, but Chase and Shai Hope provided staunch resistance, racking up a valuable 67 runs.

Captain Pat Cummns trapped Chase in front for well-played 44 and Hope fell to a brilliant one-handed catch from gloveman Alex Carey. The tailenders stuck around and tweaker Nathan Lyon wrapped up the innings, with the hosts ten runs ahead at 190 all out.

The West Indies' catching woes continued. After shelving three chances in the first innings, opener Sam Konstas was dropped twice in the second over off Shamar Joseph - first by John Campbell at third slip as he charged forward - then a low chance to Justin Greaves at second. Needing to do it himself, Joseph got his man chopping onto the stumps for just five runs after nearly an hour at the crease.

Alzarri Joseph picked up Usman Khawaja while Greaves nicked off Cameron Green, leaving Australia 57/3. Josh Inglis then shouldered arms to a length ball from Jayden Seales and was promptly castled.

An atypical innings from Travis Head saw him grind out the runs, walking off at the end of the days play with 13 from 37 balls while Beau Webster held up the other end. The tourists were 92/4, but this Test is not long for this world and could very well be over on Friday.