In every series, for a few sessions, Australia allow the opposition to feel they are ahead in the game, only to push them into oblivion and win the game themselves. Australia and West Indies were neck and neck for the first two (and a half) innings, but a series of events, which included some bizarre umpiring decisions, resistance from the Australian middle order, and a lack thereof from their West Indian counterparts, saw the game shift drastically in the visitors’ favour.
As much as Australia were incredible, it takes nothing away from West Indies standing their ground and using the conditions to freak Australia out. The Windies reduced them to 180 runs in the first innings, got a 10-run lead, and pinned them for 65 for 4 in the second innings before somehow losing the plot. Usually, complaints about umpiring blunders come across as whines; no one can dare say the same about West Indies, who lost two of their best batters to controversial decisions. The result would actually have been affected if Shai Hope and Roston Chase had stayed on to bat for longer.
Team Overview:
Australia would be happy with Steve Smith’s return, who completed the training session on Tuesday without any issues. With Smith back, Josh Inglis, who filled in for him at No. 4, will sit out. Besides this, Australia have decided not to tinker with the winning playing XI from the last game. Sam Konstas, who managed only 3 and 5 in the opening Test, would want to shift the dynamic by putting some impactful runs on the board. So will Cameron Green, whose new place at the first drop is equally volatile, especially with him not bowling, and Marnus Labuschagne just a few decent performances away from slotting back in.
West Indies, unlike the visitors, did not announce their playing XI before the game. Roston Chase and Shai Hope ran the hard yards for West Indies in the last game in both innings, and the hosts would not want to rely on a couple of batters for their series survival chances this time too. The top order, barring Kraigg Brathwaite, is still somewhat less experienced, but Queen’s Park would not be as unwelcoming for them as Barbados was. West Indies captain Chase said they might make a tweak in the bowling lineup by slotting in an extra pacer.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Australia and West Indies have played 121 matches against each other, with Australia (62) winning nearly twice as many as West Indies (33). Twenty-five of the remaining games ended in a draw, and curiously, one in a tie.
Weather and Pitch Report:
There have only ever been four Test games played at the National Stadium in Grenada, and none since 2022. Like Barbados, the surface here is equally alien to both teams, Australia, of course, more so. The last time a Test was played here, Kyle Mayers ran through the English batting lineup, and thirty wickets fell in four days.
The current pitch doesn’t seem like an actual snorter, with yellow-coloured grass covering the surface. Expect run-making to be easier with the old ball. However, the weather forecast doesn’t look too promising, with rain predicted over the next few days.
Where to Watch:
West Indies: Disney+ platform
Australia: Disney+ and Fetch TV
Pakistan: Tapmad
India: Fancode
