Carey, Webster drag Australia to 286

West Indies bowled out Australia for 286 on the opening day of the second Test, taking advantage of a pitch with unpredictable bounce in challenging conditions. Although Roston Chase lost the toss, the hosts dominated much of the day, except for a costly afternoon session during which Alex Carey and Beau Webster rescued Australia with a crucial century partnership.

After electing to bat, Australia got off to a promising start with openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja adding 47 runs. However, the innings quickly unraveled before lunch. Khawaja was the first to fall, trapped lbw by Alzarri Joseph for 16. In the very next over, Konstas edged Anderson Phillip to the wicketkeeper and departed for 25. The collapse continued when Steve Smith attempted an ill-judged pull shot off Joseph and top-edged to long leg for just 3.

Cameron Green looked composed for a while but was dismissed for 26 just before the lunch break, caught at gully off Jayden Seales. Australia went into the interval struggling at 93 for 4.

The situation worsened shortly after lunch when Travis Head, after making a quick 29, was caught behind off Shamar Joseph. The third umpire confirmed a low catch taken by Shai Hope, leaving Australia at 110 for 5.

At this stage, Beau Webster and Alex Carey steadied the innings with a vital 112-run stand. Carey survived a dropped catch by Hope and played fluently to score 63 off 81 balls, but his innings ended when he mistimed a pull shot off Justin Greaves, offering a simple catch to Kraigg Brathwaite at mid-wicket.

Webster played a patient knock, scoring 60 off 115 deliveries, but was run out while trying to steal a second run to shield the tail. The lower order offered little resistance. Pat Cummins was undone by a delivery that stayed low from Alzarri Joseph, who then had Nathan Lyon gloving a short ball to Hope for his fourth wicket. Mitchell Starc also fell cheaply, edging Seales behind for 6.

Australia ended the day with a competitive total of 286, but the momentum remained with the West Indies. However, the home side’s response was delayed as bad light prevented any play in the second innings, leaving the openers yet to face a ball.