Player ratings: How Australia’s Test stars fared in second Test victory against West Indies

3 hours ago 2

St George’s: Once again, the West Indies were no match for Australia, with the tourists claiming a 133-run victory in the second Test in Grenada.

Here’s how Australia’s players fared.

Sam Konstas: 3

By the time Konstas had reached 25 in Australia’s first innings, those in attendance at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium thought they might be about to witness something special. Instead, Konstas edged behind and a day later was gone for a fourth-ball duck to make it 33 runs on this tour at an average of 8.25. He was certainly more proactive in this Test but is learning on the run and finding it hard to make an impact. Konstas is likely to play in the third Test given Australia won here in Grenada but will want to make a score before the Ashes.

Usman Khawaja: 2

Scores of 16 and two capped an underwhelming match for the 38-year-old. He was dismissed in the same fashion - lbw to right-arm pace bowlers coming around the wicket. Khawaja knows teams will now go to that plan early. Khawaja has made under 20 runs in two of his past three Tests. He’s still likely to remain at the top of the order for the Ashes but would love a big score in the third Test in Jamaica to knock any speculation on the head.

Cam Green: 6.5

Chased a wide delivery on the last ball of the first session of the Test to be removed for 26 but made up for it with an impressive knock of 52 in the second innings on a pitch playing tricks. Continues to build throughout the series and could be on the cusp of a big score in Kingston.

Steve Smith: 7.5

Missed out in the first innings when he was caught hooking at fine leg for three. In the words of batting partner Cameron Green, it looked like Smith was playing on a different pitch in the second innings, as he made a match-winning 71. Played a number of gorgeous cover drives and got Australia into a strong position. No issues with his finger and managed to do what was necessary in the field.

Australia’s Steve Smith plays a shot against West Indies on day three of the second cricket Test match in Grenada.

Travis Head: 6

Made scores of 29 and 39 in Grenada. Remains such a dangerous figure in this Australian side at No.5 and is fearless when he comes in, often putting pressure back on the bowlers. If Head had missed out, Australia could have been in deep trouble. Also managed 1-3 from eight balls in the first innings, taking the wicket of Anderson Phillip with his very handy off-spinners. Is still the leading run-scorer in the series with 188 at 47.

Beau Webster: 7.5

Chipped in with an important 60 in Australia’s first innings before running himself out trying to get back on strike with Nathan Lyon at the other end. Has had a seamless introduction to Test cricket and is making valuable contributions after a decade of hard graft in the Sheffield Shield. Picked up 1-17 off 10 overs in the first innings and was Australia’s most economical bowler. Removed Kraigg Brathwaite with the third ball he sent down in the second innings. Slight mark down for a dropped catch in the slips on day four but it was absolutely flying and in the end had no impact on the result. Could have won man of the match honours.

Alex Carey: 7.5

Showed he is in excellent touch by backing up his second innings 65 in Barbados with scores of 63 and 30 here. A slight change in technique is working well. Quality glove work as always but would have liked fewer byes in the first innings (there were 10). Named man of the match.

Pat Cummins: 7.5

Everything you’d expect from Cummins. Match figures of 3-72 in front of his father Peter watching in the stands in Grenada. The captain rarely has a bad game. Cummins has taken at least one wicket in each of his past 52 Tests. Only once in his career has he never gone wicketless (in his first Test at the SCG against India in 2019). It’s also pretty easy to captain this side, which has such a tremendous fast bowling unit. His caught and bowled off Keacy Carty was one of the all-time greats, with Cummins revealing after he forgot to put a short leg in. Extra point for effort alone.

Mitchell Starc: 7

In his 99th Test, the left-armer snared figures of 1-48 and 3-24. Always attacks the stumps and his consistency is something to marvel. Was a class above the inexperienced West Indian batsmen. Knows how to strike fear into a batsman worrying about a short delivery that hit them in the head. It’ll be a big week in Jamaica, with Starc set to become just the second Australian fast bowler to bring up a century of Tests.

Nathan Lyon: 7.5

Took the final wicket of the match to register overall figures of 6-117 across both innings. Lyon is now just one wicket short of Glenn McGrath’s career wicket tally of 563. He’s bowling with great control at the moment and showing no signs of slowing down ahead of his 38th birthday in November.

Josh Hazlewood: 7

Managed a couple of wickets in each innings, including the first breakthrough on day four to get the ball rolling for Australia. Hazlewood is Australia’s leading wicket-taker on this tour, with 11 wickets at 14.54. His record in the Caribbean is ridiculous. From four Tests in the West Indies, including two in 2015, Hazlewood has 23 wickets at 11.56. He is becoming a nightmare for the locals to face.