Published: Jan 27, 2024, 01:01 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 27, 2024, 01:05 PM (IST)
West Indies No. 3 As the second Test hung in the balance, Kirk McKenzie forced Australia’s bowlers toil in sweltering conditions at the Gabba before falling to off-spinner Nathan Lyon late in the first session.
Following a chaotic second day, the game resumed as the surface stabilized and the West Indies prepared to bat for the duration of the heatwave in extremely hot and muggy conditions.
However, McKenzie’s removal for 41 after some excellent driving was a blow after captain Kraigg Brathwaite was removed earlier in the day three opening session.
But as they look to snap a two-decade Test drought against Australia, the West Indies have dug in and played largely with discipline to lay the groundwork for a commanding advantage.
Before dinner, Alick Athanaze and the highly effective Kavem Hodge withstood a rigorous inspection, leaving the match in a precarious position. At the beginning of the break, Athanaze had a respite when he edged out all-rounder Cameron Green to slips, but Steven Smith, diving, dropped a one-handed chance to his right as he flew in front of first slip.
After Smith clobbered Brathwaite late in the second day, it was his second dropped catch of the innings.
Because of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily’s aftermath, there is a chance of rain tonight, and days four and five are expected to see particularly strong rains.
West Indies needed to withstand the assault of new balls and reach the 25-over mark reasonably unharmed, even though batting has proven to be easier. They resumed at 13 for 1 in their second innings.
However, the surface did not offer as much zip as it did late in the second day when Australia proclaimed themselves to be 22 runs down and Josh Hazlewood quickly got the opening wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, capping an exciting day’s play.
In a precursor to things to come, McKenzie roared through the covers with a stunning drive off Mitchell Starc’s first over. He took another dose, forcing Hazlewood to abandon his frugal strategy as he scored runs at a run-a-ball clip.
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The left-handed McKenzie kept the scoreboard ticking over on his own, and his straight driving was even more visually stunning. Conversely,
Brathwaite, on the other hand, was restricted to the crease and managed just six runs from his opening 33 balls before hitting Starc with a sharp blow into the covers for the first boundary of the innings.
In the fifteenth over, captain Pat Cummins came into the attack in an attempt to produce his signature game-changing wicket after Hazlewood and Starc were foiled. However, a thrilling tussle continued as McKenzie effortlessly drove him down the ground for another superb boundary, forcing Cummins to return to a challenging length.
West Indies gained momentum as the batters overcame Cummins and achieved a half-century stand. They made it almost all the way to the beverages before Brathwaite gently chipped Green to cover.
After slowing down, McKenzie attempted a sweep shot on his 50th ball, but Lyon trapped him leg before wicket on his second delivery. Having been struck high on his back leg, McKenzie opted to review just in time. However, ball tracking revealed that the hit was clipping the off bail, and the decision was upheld.
