West Indies set 301 to win first Test after Head, Webster and Carey make half centuries

2 months ago 26

Bridgetown: The West Indies have been set a target of 301 to win the opening Test against Australia in Barbados after the visitors’ middle order wrestled back momentum on day three.

Resuming on 4-92 with an 82-run lead, Australian duo Travis Head (61) and Beau Webster (63) knuckled down for a commanding 102-run partnership to take the game away from the West Indies.

The West Indies’ terrible fielding in this Test was on display once again when Head was dropped on 21 by Justin Greaves at second slip early in the day. It was the home side’s seventh dropped catch in the slips across the match.

Head and Webster’s partnership was the first fifth-wicket century stand by an Australian pair in Tests since Mitch Marsh and Steve Smith put on 153 against Pakistan in Melbourne in 2023.

Webster continues to prosper at Test level and now has a very tidy return of 305 runs at 43.57 from eight innings.

Head was out LBW off Shamar Joseph before Webster was unlucky to be caught down the leg side to the same bowler, leaving Australia at 6-208.

Australian batsmen Travis Head and Beau Webster bat on day three as West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph watches on.

Alex Carey pushed the game along by crunching a 40-ball half century, which included two big sixes down the ground.

There was a period in the middle session when Australia smashed 68 from 46 balls.

Australia’s wicketkeeper eventually perished for 65 as Joseph finished with figures of 5-87 for the innings to help bowl the tourists out for 310.

Joseph, who appeared to be carrying some kind of injury, pushed through the pain to pick up nine wickets for the match (9-133) in an impressive display after his heroics at the Gabba early last year.

The West Indies’ highest successful run chase in Bridgetown came in 1999 when Brian Lara made an unbeaten 153 to steer his side to a target of 308 against Australia with one wicket in hand.

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