Sawt Falasteen - Australia crawl to 69-3 in second innings against West Indies

Holding a 1-0 lead in the three-match series following a 159-run victory in the first Test in Barbados, the tourists have an overall lead of 102 runs with seven wickets in hand.

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, Steve 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 in getting to the interval unbeaten on 31 off 84 balls with two boundaries.

Having missed the first Test through injury and fallen cheaply in the first innings on Thursday, Smith seemed to be settling in for a significant contribution as he resumes after lunch on 20.

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.

E.Qaddoumi--SF-PST