6 hours ago
2
5.06am
5.03am
The below table shows just how difficult it is to chase runs at Sabina Park, let alone against a pink ball (and likely under lights for the West Indies).
Only two successful fourth innings run chases above 200 and four above 100. Australia’s lead of 192 looks enough but there’s every chance the West Indies will come out and approach the run chase like an ODI/T20 match.
4.55am
Australia: 8-110 (Starc 4*, Boland 1*) lead by 192 runs
4.50am
And another! Alzari Joseph takes the ball and rips one into Pat Cummins. Rising ball right up at his throat, fends off straight to the short leg fielder. Simple catch for the debutant opener Kevlon Anderson. Game on people.
Windies trying to keep the lead to under 200 - even then that feels like it’ll be too much given the procession of wickets but impressive fast bowling nonetheless.
Pat Cummins is on his way.Credit: AP
That’s Joseph’s fourth wicket of the innings - Smith, Webster, Carey and now Cummins all in his keeping.
Australia: 8-105 (Cummins 5, Starc 1*) lead by 187 runs
4.35am
Bang. First ball of the day, Cameron Green leaves Shamar Joseph’s first offering and it cannons into his off stump. Look lively people, the cricket is well and truly on.
Green rues that one like nothing else. Gone for 42 from 66 balls.
Australia: 7-104 (Cummins 5*, Starc 1*) lead by 186 runs
4.33am
Kingston: A week ago, Australian coach Andrew McDonald leapt to the defence of four-Test rookie Sam Konstas following returns of 3, 5, 25 and 0 in the first two matches against the West Indies.
“Four games, eight innings - it’s probably early for anyone to judge really,” McDonald told reporters, while acknowledging the performances hadn’t been spectacular.
McDonald and fellow selectors will now have 10 Konstas innings – or “data points”, as they like to call them – to assess ahead of Australia’s next Test assignment.
Loading
The only problem is that it’s the biggest of the lot: an Ashes series on home soil.
How many do they need? Is 10 enough? Or 20?
The scores do not make for pretty reading, and selectors are the ones accountable – albeit on challenging pitches in the Caribbean. They knew picking Konstas, with such little first-class experience, was a gamble. They’d argue it has been an investment.
For the second summer in a row, Australia does not have a settled opening batting combination.
Read the full story here.
4.28am
4.26am
G’day cricket fans.
Welcome to our live blog of today’s action between Australia and the West Indies in Kingston.
It’s Tom Decent at Sabina Park in the blogging chair. Another warm day. Some talk of showers but I’ll believe that when I see it.
Australia will be looking to build their lead. They’ve probably already got enough now but anything over 200 will make them feel more at ease.
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|