Windies Pacemen Dominate as Australia Suffers Batting Meltdown

KINGSTON: Under the Sabina Park floodlights, Australia experienced a dramatic batting collapse, surrendering seven wickets for a mere 68 runs against a dominant West Indies pace attack.

The trio of Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, and Justin Greaves claimed all ten wickets, giving the home side a significant advantage. Mitchell Starc, in his 100th Test match, provided a brief moment of hope for Australia with an early wicket.

Starc, who was earlier dismissed for a duck, eventually made a breakthrough late in the day, dismissing debutant Kevlon Anderson.

Anderson, after a shaky beginning as part of an improvised opening partnership with Brandon King, edged a drive onto his stumps.

West Indies were forced to adjust their top order after Mikyle Louis—recalled to replace Kraigg Brathwaite, who was dropped after his 100th Test—and John Campbell both suffered injuries while fielding.

Despite the setbacks, West Indies concluded the day in a relatively strong position, having lost only one wicket in 45 minutes under the lights against Australia’s pink-ball pace attack.

King and Roston Chase batted cautiously, ensuring their team finished Day 1 competitively. The true value of Australia’s total will become clear as the West Indies innings unfolds, a pattern seen throughout the series.

Australia were comfortably placed at 129 for 2 before the dinner interval, with Cameron Green and Steven Smith looking well-established. However, Green’s dismissal to an excellent delivery from Seales triggered a collapse in the final session.

Shamar Joseph swiftly removed Smith and Beau Webster, while Travis Head was dismissed following a remarkable diving catch by substitute Anderson Phillip.

With Alzarri Joseph sidelined due to a back injury—later sent for scans—the West Indies pace attack, led by Seales, Joseph, and Greaves, stepped up. Louis sustained a knee injury in the outfield, and Campbell was hit in the chest at short leg.

Earlier, Australia made headlines by dropping Nathan Lyon—marking the first instance since 2013 that he was omitted from a Test when available—opting for an all-seam attack. In contrast, West Indies recalled specialist spinner Jomel Warrican, believing the conditions warranted it.

While spinners found some turn, the well-grassed surface favored seamers, particularly as day transitioned to night.

Openers Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas started cautiously, scoring 21 runs in the first hour, marking the longest opening stand of the series.

By lunch, Australia were 50 for 1, hindered by a slow outfield. Konstas, dropped on 1 by Anderson at third slip, survived several close calls before being dismissed lbw by Greaves.

Green looked composed and capitalized on his second innings momentum from Grenada, executing several elegant drives after tea. He experienced a brief scare before the interval when an lbw decision against him was overturned upon review.

Khawaja’s patient innings ended when he edged Shamar Joseph to Shai Hope, who completed an excellent catch. Smith began aggressively, hitting several boundaries off Greaves and surviving a dropped return catch by Warrican.

However, after dinner, he struggled under the floodlights, misjudging deliveries and eventually edging to King at slip. Webster followed soon after.

Head, who struggled to find his rhythm, attempted a counterattack but was spectacularly caught by Phillips at mid-off, who dove full stretch to his right. The final overs saw Australia adopting an aggressive approach. Alex Carey lofted a six but edged behind soon after.

Pat Cummins hit three sixes before being caught at long-on. Shamar Joseph, continuing his impressive series, claimed his 17th wicket by dismissing Josh Hazlewood to conclude the innings.