Fast bowlers and the TV umpire grab attention on an exciting day where the Test match hangs in the balance
Fast bowlers and the TV umpire grab attention on an exciting day where the Test match hangs in the balance
West Indies vs Australia Test: Many controversial decisions in the Barbados Test, third umpire calls causing frustration for both teams. Australia holds 82-run lead over West Indies.
The first Test between Australia and the West Indies is shaping into a tense, low-scoring battle where bowlers are shining and batters are struggling. With the pitch offering help to fast bowlers, scoring has been tough, and the game is full of drama, mistakes, and controversial decisions.
By the end of the day, Australia had a lead of 82 runs after bowling out the West Indies for 190. Even though their top order didn’t do much better, they still believe they can set up a target of around 200 something they think they can defend, but it won’t be easy. The outcome could depend on how well Travis Head and Beau Webster, both still batting, along with Alex Carey, can build on that lead.
Missed Catches and Missed Chances
Sam Konstas survived a few scares early he nearly got out on the very first ball and was dropped twice in the second over by West Indies fielders. Coach Daren Sammy looked visibly frustrated on the balcony as Shamar Joseph kept creating chances, and fielders kept wasting them. That brought the total missed chances off Shamar’s bowling to five!
But in the end, Joseph didn’t need help he bowled Konstas with a ball that came back in, exposing a weakness in Konstas’ technique. Before that, Alzarri Joseph had already removed Usman Khawaja with a very tight lbw decision.
Australia were struggling at 34 for 2, and they needed someone to stay firm. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis held on for a while, though Green needed the DRS to overturn an lbw call that would’ve got him for 13
replays showed the ball was going over the stumps. Then, just one run later, Green was at the centre of another umpiring moment when an appeal for caught behind was overturned. But it didn’t matter he edged one to slip just a few balls later.
Inglis had already fallen, leaving a ball from Jayden Seales that came back in and hit his off stump. Brandon King was out in a similar fashion earlier in the day.
Travis Head and Beau Webster managed to avoid more damage for the rest of the day. Webster was the more aggressive one, looking to score whenever he could. But Shamar Joseph stayed fiery and quick, even hitting Head on the hand just before the day ended.
West Indies' Short-Lived First Innings Lead
Earlier in the day, the West Indies had taken a small lead of just 10 runs. At one point, it looked like they might do better when they were 139 for 5. Australia’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood standing out. But it was the dismissals of captain Roston Chase and top-scorer Shai Hope that sparked the most debate, both upheld by third umpire Adrian Holdstock.
Chase was given lbw against Cummins but was convinced he had hit the ball. Replays were unclear, and the on-field call stood. Hope, who had batted beautifully, was out caught behind by a brilliant one-handed catch from Carey. The ball was very close to the ground, but after review, it was ruled cleanly taken. Hope didn’t wait for the confirmation and had already walked off, while Coach Sammy again didn’t look too happy with the call.
Drama from the Very Start
West Indies had started the day at 57 for 4. Early on, Australia went for a DRS review thinking Chase was lbw, but it was ruled that the bat came before the pad. Soon after, Chase survived again when a sharp edge went to the short leg, but Konstas couldn’t catch it. Carey also dropped a tricky one off Brandon King.
Eventually, Hazlewood struck King misjudged a leave and got bowled. That was Australia’s only success in the morning, though, as Chase and Hope built a strong 67-run partnership. Hope, returning to Tests after over three years, played some stunning straight drives, while Chase went after spinner Nathan Lyon, even hitting a six down the ground.
After lunch, Cummins broke the stand by trapping Chase lbw. Then Webster removed Justin Greaves, and soon after came the dramatic dismissal of Hope. Carey’s one-handed catch was reviewed and upheld, although it looked tight.
Alzarri Joseph chipped in with a valuable 23, including a big six, to give West Indies a brief lead. The game remained evenly balanced by stumps, and with the pitch still tricky and both teams fighting hard, it was anyone’s guess which way it would swing.
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