Pink ball carnage in Kingston as Australia lose 7-68 in 15 overs of mayhem

Kingston: Steve Smith says Australia’s final hit-out against the West Indies in the Caribbean will have little bearing on the opening Ashes Test later this year in Perth because of prodigious pink ball swing and a pitch that is making batsmen feel like “sitting ducks”.

A 100-minute spell of pink-ball carnage under lights has breathed life into the third Test in Kingston, giving West Indies fans something to cheer about after a dismal series to date.

The decision to pick Scott Boland over Nathan Lyon dominated early headlines but quickly faded when Australia, after winning the toss and batting, crumbled on a lively Sabina Park pitch.

Australia were bowled out for 225 with 51 minutes remaining on day one, having lost 7-68 in 14.3 overs of mayhem more reminiscent of a T20 collapse than a five-day contest. Whether Lyon would have been required to bowl remains to be seen given how fast the match is moving.

Although this is Australia’s last Test before a mouth-watering Ashes series, Smith said conditions and the ball’s behaviour felt like everyone was playing “a different game”.

“I find it quite tricky just picking the ball up at certain times of the day,” Smith said. “The way it behaves [here] is completely different to a red ball. I think people like the spectacle. But as a player, particularly as a batter, it’s very challenging. The game can turn so quickly.”

Steve Smith bats on day one of the third Test against the West Indies. Credit: AP

Asked about his dismissal - caught at first slip for 48 after chasing a wide delivery from Shamar Joseph - Smith said: “I was throwing the kitchen sink at it. Any width I was just trying to climb into. It felt pretty tricky out there.

“It’s one of those wickets … if you’re just going to sit there, you’re probably a sitting duck.”

The West Indies may have already relinquished the Frank Worrell Trophy following limp batting efforts in Barbados and Grenada, but fast bowler Jayden Seales (3-59) injected much-needed energy, dishing out animated send-offs - including one to Starc, which he denied after play.

There were loose strokes and players clearing the front leg in tactics that indicated Australia have no desire to be in Kingston any longer than they need to be.

With regular openers Mikyle Louis and John Campbell picking up injuries in the field, the hosts were dealt an early blow but still finished the day in buoyant spirits at 1-16 and 209 runs behind Australia, with Brandon King (8) and captain Roston Chase (3) unbeaten.

Australia’s highest Test total in history was achieved at Sabina Park 70 years ago. Five Australian batsmen made hundreds that day in a total of 8-758 declared, courtesy of 204 from Neil Harvey and 128 from No.8 Richie Benaud.

But in nine completed innings across this series, no player has raised the bat for a century. There’s every chance that trend will continue.

The signs of a quick Test were evident three days ago at Australia’s only training session under lights. Fresh pink balls were brutally dispatched to all parts of Sabina Park, with a handful even going over the roof and into the Kingston night.

Anderson Phillip takes a catch to dismiss Travis Head.Credit: AP

It was a sign of things to come, with Pat Cummins clubbing three sixes in a Saturday night cameo of 24 from 17 balls to get Australia’s quicks a late crack at the West Indies.

By the time sunset arrived, with Australia in a decent position at 3-138 at the tea break, it was clear the visitors weren’t going to stick around. It was very much a “get them before they get you” approach.

“The wicket definitely sped up after the break,” Smith said. “There was still plenty in it. It certainly felt like there was seam [movement] all day. It’s quite a slow outfield, so I think it’s a reasonable total.”

It wasn’t all fourth and fifth gear for Australia though as Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja scored just 16 runs off the first 12 overs of the innings in energy-sapping conditions.

Konstas’ tough tour continued though when he was almost run-out and dropped before being trapped in front by Justin Graves for 17 from 53 balls. It was his second-longest Test innings, but another missed opportunity to press his case for the Ashes.

All of Australia’s top five got promising starts — Khawaja (23), Cameron Green (46), Smith (48), and Travis Head (20) — but none converted, as the visitors failed to assert dominance.

Mitchell Starc gave Australia a breakthrough in the fifth over, removing Kevlon Anderson to claim wicket No.396 in his 100th Test.

Smith said he could understand why the selectors did not pick Lyon.

“It’s odd not having him out there,” Smith said. “Conditions are conditions.

“I think we saw today how much seam was on offer and Scott Boland is not too bad at that as we’ve seen on numerous occasions. It’s a tricky one. Nathan is an exceptional bowler and it has nothing to do with his skill that’s for sure.

“In the morning, the four guys are going to go at it and be relentless.”