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06 Jul, 2025
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Steve Smith rescues Australia in Second Test against West Indies
@Source: news.com.au
Smith and Cameron Green combined nicely to put together a 93-run partnership before Green chopped on one delivery after reaching fifty. The tourists were 4-175 at tea at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, leading by 208 runs, with Smith (70*) and Travis Head (28*) unbeaten in the middle. Australia took a 33-run lead into the second innings after the West Indies’ tail wagged on Day 2. West Indies vs Australia Test & T20I Series | Watch every ball LIVE with ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer > Holding a 1-0 lead in the three-match series following a 159-run victory in the first Test in Barbados, Australia looked in troubleat 3/28 before Smith arrived at the crease. West Indies’ lone success on a morning interrupted by seasonal showers was nightwatchman Nathan Lyon for eight, the right-hander offering a catch high to John Campbell at second slip off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph having done his job the previous evening in protecting the next man in, Smith, from having to negotiate a tricky few minutes to the close. Cameron Green, once again entrusted with the vital number three position in the order, batted with great restraint with his 52 runs coming from 123 balls. Having missed the first Test through injury and fallen cheaply in the first innings on Friday, Smith seemed to settle in for a significant contribution. West Indies were disciplined in the main with their bowling effort although none of the pacers consistently challenged the Australian batsmen. Like Green, Smith was content to play carefully, the exception being consecutive boundaries off Shamar Joseph, the Guyanese fast bowler who famously claimed the former Australian captain’s wicket with his very first ball in Test cricket in Adelaide 18 months ago. Aussie selectors will breathe a sigh of relief at seeing Green finally make some runs batting at first drop. The other top order selection of picking Sam Konstas to open alongside Usman Khawaja has been a spectacular failure. Konstas’ Test career is only four Tests old but it might already be at a crossroads. Konstas, who had treatment on his back in the field, couldn’t survive until stumps, chopping on to Jayden Seales for a four-ball duck in an ugly dismissal. “I’ve just noticed a few balance issues in Barbados and here,” former Australian player Greg Blewett said in commentary. “That dismissal there, his feet aren’t planted and then he’s throwing his hands at the ball. “His feet are still moving after he makes contact (with the ball). That’s not ideal. That just suggests things aren’t quite right with his balance. “Sometimes he’s getting in good positions, but a lot of the time you’re just seeing that overbalance after he plays a shot.”
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