Sabina Park is set for a pink-ball game debut, with Australia taking on the hosts, West Indies. Australia have only ever lost one pink-ball game, which makes them the most successful team in day/night Test games. But that only defeat came at the hands of a rampant West Indies, who did so at Australia’s much-vaunted Gabba.
Team Overview:
With regards to the series, Australia already have it in their kitty, with two wins. But no game is meaningless in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycles, and it would be the greatest motivation the hosts have to spoil the visitors’ party. The prospects, though, aren’t too much on the positive side for them. West Indies had a decent start to the series, and in the second Test, too, their bowling was almost on par with Australia’s.
They lost, probably, due to their batting, which hasn’t made any good headlines throughout the series. None of the Windies batters could get past their captain’s score of 34 in the fourth innings in Grenada.
With a day-night Test awaiting them, the flaws in their batting would get more exposed than not. The pink ball is bound to swing more, and Australian bowlers have more experience than any team to exploit that, though this will be their first time bowling with a pink Dukes ball.
And on that note, Australia would need to find some sense in their top order as well. Cameron Green’s fifty in the second innings was something of a face-saving act on what was a shoddy display with the bat by the visitors’ top three. Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas would still be under pressure to put up respectable figures on the board, before the series ends and their innings are criticised under the nanoscope. Steve Smith’s 71-run knock ensured he is just as good even with a finger in a splint.
And their middle order has been equally decent. Beau Webster’s addition has been a huge relief for the Aussies. Alongside his work with the bat, he managed a wicket in each innings as well. The bowling attack, though, might see some changes for the night game. There are reports that Australia would swap another pacer in for Nathan Lyon, with Sabina Park’s green surface in the subtext.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Australia and West Indies have played 122 matches against each other, with Australia (63) 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:
West Indies played Bangladesh in Kingston in December last year. However, this will be the venue’s first day-night game, which means much about how the conditions will play is based on guesswork. Sabina Park, typically, favours fast bowlers and spinners across formats. The surface tricks teams into believing that they are up for high scores with how it plays in the first innings. However, batting becomes increasingly difficult as the game progresses. So, batting first would be a decent choice at this venue.
There’s some prediction for rain starting from Monday, but most of it is expected to be over before the day’s play begins.
Prediction:
Australia are clear favourites, unless West Indies decide to turn another day-night game in their favour against them.
Where to Watch:
West Indies: Disney+ platform
Australia: Disney+ and Fetch TV
Pakistan: Tapmad
India: Fancode
