On day three of the second Test against the West Indies, half-centuries from Steve Smith and Cameron Green shifted Australia’s position from precarious to commanding. Starting with a modest lead of 33 runs and an early score of 2-12, nightwatchman Nathan Lyon managed to withstand nine overs before being dismissed for 8, paving the way for Smith’s entry.
The duo of Smith and Green formed a crucial 93-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Green’s innings came to an end when he was bowled by Shamar Joseph for 52, soon after which Smith and Travis Head extended the score with a further 58 runs before Smith was caught in front for 71 shortly after the tea break.
By the end of play, Australia’s total was 7-221, with Pat Cummins and Alex Carey still at the crease. Despite encountering challenging conditions due to the pitch’s unpredictable behaviour, Australia looked to stretch their lead to a potentially unassailable total.
Smith, who returned to the side after recovering from a dislocated finger, faced an immediate scare when the first delivery he faced struck his right glove. Though he managed to continue, he exhibited some discomfort as he flexed his heavily strapped finger. Following that moment, Smith found his rhythm and scored his half-century off just 79 balls, illustrating his resilience.
Green’s innings began slowly, but he soon found his stride, surpassing his previous highest score at No.3 before being dismissed immediately after reaching his fifty. His partnership with Smith was vital in stabilising the Australian innings after a shaky start.
Smith and Head pushed the score further as Australia approached a sizeable lead of 254 runs at stumps. The day was not without its challenges, as batting conditions fluctuated due to varying deliveries from the bowlers and interruptions from rain delays, totaling nearly two hours of lost play.
Head also contributed to the score before he was dismissed for 39. Looking ahead, Smith expressed optimism about the conditions, stating that the pitch was unlikely to improve, and underscored the importance of leveraging the new ball to set a competitive target for the West Indies.
With their batting strategy appearing to pay off, Australia now appears well-placed to impose a challenging target on their opponents.