Australia gain upper hand after 15-wicket collapse at Sabina Park

Australia ended Day 2 of the Sabina Park Test slightly ahead despite a dramatic day that saw 15 wickets fall. West Indies' pace duo Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph put up a fiery display, reducing Australia to 99 for 6 in their second innings, although the visitors still held a 181-run lead with four wickets in hand.

Starting the day at 16 for 1 in reply to Australia’s 225, West Indies began cautiously. Brandon King fell early to a Josh Hazlewood delivery that nipped in, trapping him lbw on umpire’s call. Roston Chase showed resistance but threw his wicket away chasing a wide ball from Pat Cummins. At lunch, the West Indies were in a decent position at 73 for 3.

However, the second session brought a collapse. Despite Scott Boland’s overstepping issues and a couple of missed chances behind the stumps by Alex Carey, the Windies couldn’t hold out. John Campbell was out lbw offering no shot, and both Mikyle Louis and Shai Hope were bowled. Justin Greaves was run out, and the tail offered little fight, handing Australia a sizeable first-innings lead.

In Australia’s second innings, West Indies struck early again. Sam Konstas was dismissed for a duck in the second over, edging to gully. Although Cameron Green played fluently and struck some confident boundaries, wickets tumbled at the other end.

Usman Khawaja was bowled for 14, and then Alzarri Joseph ripped through the middle order, knocking over Steve Smith and Beau Webster. Travis Head nicked one to the slips, and in the 21st over, Alzarri removed Alex Carey for a duck, marking a double strike.

Cameron Green, who survived a few run-out scares, held firm to end the day unbeaten on 42. He was joined by Pat Cummins, and together they ensured there were no further losses as stumps were drawn.

At the close, Australia maintained a slim advantage, but the contest remains finely balanced heading into Day 3.