Lame effort from Australia's new-look top four in West Indies worrying ahead of blockbuster Ashes showdown

News.com.au

10 hours ago

The day before Australia began the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados two things happened.
England's fearless batting outfit blasted its way to a mammoth fourth innings run chase of 371 against India, with more than 10 overs to spare on day five at Headingley.
Then Australian captain Pat Cummins declared Cameron Green was a viable 'long-term option' at No.3 despite two failures in the position at Lord's during the World Test Championship final, albeit in his first Test since March 2024.
Green was inserted to replace Marnus Labuschagne after a significant decline in returns from the former No.1 batter in the world, with teen tyro Sam Konstas given his head as opening partner to Usman Khawaja, who at 38 has vowed to go on as long as needed, including the Ashes.
The absence of Steve Smith earnt Josh Inglis a recall on the back of a debut Test hundred in Sri Lanka.
But when Australia fell to 3-22 at Kensington Oval, with Konstas (4), Green (3) and Inglis (5) back in the sheds on the way to being all out for 180, the alarm bells started ringing, loudly, and England's players, revelling in their epic win, would have been smiling from ear to ear.
'I think Konstas got a good ball,' former Australia batter Greg Blewett said in commentary.
It was the 14th the 19-year-old faced, out LBW to Shamar Joseph, who warned all the Australians pre-game that the man who bowled the West Indies to victory at the Gabba was ready for them and took 4-46.
Konstas was all smiles in pre-game pictures, shirtless on the beach, lapping up the Caribbean vibes. But his 20 minutes at the crease was less enjoyable.
Green now has scores of 4, 0 and 3 in his first three goes at No.3 to go with scores of 25 and 5 in his last Test before a significant back surgery.
That's 37 run in his past five Test innings, spread over nearly 15 months.
Australia's blushes were saved by an 89-run stand between Khawaja (47) and Travis Head (59) and then the bowlers, again, who took four final session wickets to take the day one tally to a staggering 14 on a wicket expected to slow down and take spin, putting a possible three-day Test on the cards.
The West Indies went to stumps at 4-57, which could mean the likes of Konstas and Green may be back at the crease on day two, another chance to prove the value the selectors see in them and give England something to think about.