ST GEORGE’S, Grenada — Fast‑bowling spearhead Alzarri Joseph ignited the National Cricket Stadium on Thursday, tearing through Australia’s vaunted line‑up and handing the West Indies clear control of the second Test’s opening day.
The right‑arm quick bagged 4 for 61 as the tourists were bundled out for 286 in 66.5 overs, despite a gritty rescue act from wicketkeeper‑batsman Alex Carey and all‑rounder Beau Webster.
Fiery beginnings and sudden setbacks
Australia, electing to bat for the second match in succession, burst from the blocks as openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja plundered 47 brisk runs against wayward new‑ball bowling. Konstas lashed successive boundaries off Shamar Joseph, and Khawaja pulled Alzarri twice through mid‑wicket to lift the run‑rate above four per over.
On the cusp of the series’ first 50‑run opening stand, Alzarri struck back—an inswinger thumped Khawaja’s back pad, trapping him lbw for 16. From 47 without loss, Australia lurched to 50 for 3 in the blink of an eye:
Konstas (25) feathered Anderson Phillip to Shai Hope behind the stumps, ans returnee Steven Smith top‑edged a pull to Phillip at fine leg, giving Alzarri his second.
Lunch pressure mounts
Cameron Green and Travis Head steadied the ship with a 43‑run stand, but fortune proved fickle. Green, reprieved on 25 by John Campbell at cover, nicked Jayden Seales to Roston Chase moments later. Australia crawled to 93 for 4 at the interval.
After lunch, Shamar Joseph produced a snorting delivery that kissed Head’s outside edge; a diving Hope clutched a brilliant one‑hander, plunging the visitors to 110 for 5.
Carey and Webster rebuild with grit and guile
Much like their defiance in Bridgetown, Carey and Webster embarked on a 112‑run salvage operation. Webster knuckled down in stoic fashion while Carey advanced down the track, drilling all comers—save Alzarri—straight and true.
Carey survived on 46 when Hope’s leap could only fingertip a fierce upper‑cut off Phillip, and he soon celebrated his 11th Test half‑century via a streaky edge through the slips. A towering pull off Justin Greaves sailed for six, but Greaves exacted swift revenge: Carey’s attempted encore nestled safely in Kraigg Brathwaite’s hands at mid‑wicket. His enterprising 63 off 81 balls (10 fours, one six) had kept Australia afloat.
Webster, meanwhile, brought up consecutive fifties with a single off Shamar, before drama re‑entered:
Pat Cummins (17) was bowled by an Alzarri skidder that scuttled low; Mitchell Starc edged Seales behind for six, and Webster’s measured vigil ended on 60 when a reckless second run left him short of his ground.
Alzarri returned to end the innings, tempting Nathan Lyon into a feather behind at 6:30 p.m. sharp.
With the pitch offering both pace and variable bounce, the West Indies’ opening duo must now convert the bowlers’ hard work into a commanding first‑innings lead. Grenadian spectators, still buzzing from a day of theatrical momentum swings, will rise on Friday eager to see whether the hosts can press their early advantage and level the series
