Australia Mounts an Intense Comeback Against West Indies, But Loses Key Wickets in a Morning Session Battle in Adelaide.
In a riveting display at Adelaide, Australia diligently chipped away at the West Indies’ total, narrowing the deficit to a mere 44 runs. However, the morning session on Day 2 brought both triumphs and setbacks for the Aussies as they lost three crucial middle-order wickets.
Shamar Joseph showcased his bowling prowess, picking up right where he left off on the first evening. With a brilliant delivery, he sent Cam Green packing in just the second over of the morning, extracting an edge that found its way to the keeper. Despite facing back-to-back boundaries, Joseph’s precise movement off the pitch proved lethal for the Australian all-rounder.
Travis Head, alongside the set Usman Khawaja, faced the West Indies’ short-ball strategy, taking his time to settle in. Despite the setback, Head surged past the 3000 Test run mark and helped bring Australia’s total to 100 just before the drinks break. However, the elation was short-lived as Justin Greaves, in a memorable moment, claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Khawaja, who fell prey to a lapse in concentration.
Mitch Marsh struggled in the middle, surviving a few edged deliveries that narrowly missed fielders. A confident boundary through the covers offered a brief respite, but West Indies struck back. Greaves, stationed under the lid, made a crucial move closer to third slip, executing a superb low catch to end Marsh’s challenging innings just before Lunch.
As Lunch approached, Head, with a score of 41, collaborated with Alex Carey for an unbeaten 15-run partnership, guiding Australia to a precarious 144/5. The stage is set for an enthralling continuation in this intense cricket battle.
Brief scores: Australia 144/5 (Usman Khawaja 45, Travis Head 41*; Shamar Joseph 3-52) trail West Indies by 44 runs
