WI vs AUS, 2nd Test: Steve Smith braves West Indies pace battery to put Australia in driver's seat

India Today

8 hours ago

A gritty half-century from Steve Smith and a composed knock by Cameron Green helped Australia wrest back control on a rain-hit third day of the second Test against West Indies, putting the visitors firmly in the driver's seat. Australia recovered from the top order collapse, which they faced late on Day 2.Resuming at a precarious 12 for 2 in their second innings, Australia clawed their way to 221 for 7 at stumps on Saturday, stretching their lead to a commanding 254 runs on a tricky surface that continued to play unpredictable tricks, keeping low and offering variable bounce throughout the day.advertisementWI vs AUS, 2nd Test: Day 3 Updates
Smith, returning to the playing XI after missing the first Test due to a finger injury, weathered both the West Indian pace attack and a blow to his recently dislocated pinkie to compile a patient 71 off 119 balls. His knock, which included seven boundaries and a six, formed the backbone of Australia's resistance and revival.Green, who resumed the day on 6, looked increasingly assured at No. 3 and brought up his half-century with his fifth boundary, a milestone he reached in 122 balls. But he perished the very next delivery, chopping on against Shamar Joseph for a well-made 52, ending a crucial 93-run stand with Smith that pulled Australia out of early trouble."It was not ideal getting hit on the finger, but it feels all right," Smith said after play. "It's that kind of surface. Some balls can shoot up, and sometimes you just have to take a few on the hands."Rain interruptions dominated the morning and afternoon sessions, with nearly two hours of play lost to passing showers. When play resumed, scoring remained a grind as the West Indies seamers, particularly Shamar Joseph and Justin Greaves, extracted life from the deteriorating surface.Greaves, in a sharp post-tea spell, removed both Smith and Beau Webster in quick succession to briefly revive West Indies' hopes. Smith's decision to review his LBW dismissal proved futile, with replays confirming the ball was crashing into the off stump. Greaves ended with two wickets for the day, while Shamar Joseph added to his tally with the important scalp of Travis Head, who had threatened to accelerate with a brisk 39.At the close of play, Alex Carey was unbeaten on 26 off 27 balls, alongside skipper Pat Cummins on 4. With Australia targeting a lead of 300 and the pitch showing increasing signs of deterioration, Smith was optimistic about their position.'We are in a nice spot,' he said. 'I don't think the wicket is going to get any better. It will probably do a few more tricks. The new ball is going to be pretty crucial for us.'With two days remaining and the pitch continuing to misbehave, Australia will back themselves to seal the series 2-0, provided they can stretch their lead past 300 and strike early with the ball.- Ends