West Indies v Australia, third Test, day two: Cameron Green stands tall on night of carnage
Scott Boland vindicated selectors’ calls to include him ahead of Nathan Lyon - on another day where Australia’s batters capitulated. But he can’t envisage it ever happening again.
Scott Boland is statistically the most successful Test paceman in more than a century, but he cannot envisage Australia again going with four specialist quicks, all but consigning him to more time as a backup.
Boland vindicated selectors’ calls to include him for the pink Dukes ball Test at the expense of Nathan Lyon in Jamaica, picking up where he left off to take 3-34 as the Aussie seamers ensured the West Indies were routed for 143 in their first innings at Sabina Park.
That performance left Boland’s Test bowling average at 17.33, the lowest of any bowler in Test cricket since the start of World War I to have bowled at least 2000 balls in the format.
And yet Boland said he couldn’t foresee Lyon - omitted for the first time since 2013 - being left out at home, even in a day-night Test.
“Probably not. You can see when Gaz (Lyon) bowls with a pink ball, especially in Adelaide, he gets it to bounce and spin a lot,” Boland said.
“So it’s probably only going to be a one-off. I’d like to play as many games as I could, especially with those other three guys, but I probably see it going back to the norm, especially once we get Greeny (Cameron Green) back bowling for the summer.”
The Victorian, playing his first overseas Test in more than two years, said Lyon had been nothing but supportive despite his obvious disappointment.
“He’s been great. I think once he found out from the selectors and that he pretty much texted me straight away. He said ‘good luck this week and I’m glad it’s me taking his spot.’ Unfortunate for him but I think he’s going to come straight back in next game,” Boland said.
Boland, along with fellow quicks Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc were going to have to save the day one more time after the West Indies ran through the tourists under lights at Sabina Park to leave the third Test in the balance.
Fifteen wickets - including that of Sam Konstas for a duck - on another madcap day to continue ball’s stranglehold of bat during the series.
At stumps on day two, Australia was 6-99 in its second innings, leading by 181.
Green (42 not out) provided by far the most resistance for the Aussies as Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph dismantled the Aussie batting lineup. Cummins (five not out) was also unbeaten at the close despite nearly being run out after a mix-up with the No.3.
For all their troubles, including Konstas’ fifth-ball nick off Shamar Joseph to Roston Chase at gully, the Aussies were still favoured to win the Test given the shambolic nature of the Windies’ batting.
The hosts lost 5-19 during the middle session to be rolled for 143 despite Alex Carey dropping two catches.
Carey later fell for a duck, edging Alzarri Joseph who had struck the wicketkeeper on the helmet earlier in the over.
The Aussie seamers shared nine wickets. The other came via the run out of Justin Greaves, caught short after a bullet throw from the deep by Konstas.
John Campbell’s 36 was the Windies’ top score. It was the fourth innings out of five for the series that the home side has been bowled out for less than 200.
AUSSIE BATTING HORROR SHOW LEAVES TEST ON KNIFE EDGE
Australia’s bowlers will have to save the day one more time after the West Indies ran through the tourists under lights at Sabina Park to leave the third Test in the balance.
Fifteen wickets fell – including that of Sam Konstas for a duck – on another madcap day to continue ball’s stranglehold of bat during the series.
At stumps on day two, Australia was 6-99 in its second innings, leading by 181.
Cameron Green (42 not out) provided by far the most resistance for the Aussies as Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph dismantled the Aussie batting line-up. Pat Cummins (five not out) was also unbeaten at the close, despite nearly being run out after a mix-up with the No.3.
For all their troubles, including Konstas’s fifth-ball nick off Shamar Joseph to Roston Chase at gully, the Aussies are still favoured to win the Test, given the shambolic nature of the Windies’ batting.
The hosts lost 5-19 during the middle session to be rolled for 143, despite Alex Carey dropping two catches.
Carey later fell for a duck, edging Alzarri Joseph, who had struck the wicketkeeper on the helmet earlier in the over.
Scott Boland vindicated selectors’ calls to include him at the expense of Nathan Lyon, picking up where he left off to take 3-34 as the Aussie seamers shared nine wickets. The other came via the run-out of Justin Greaves, caught short after a bullet throw from the deep by Konstas.
John Campbell’s 36 was the Windies’ top score. It was the fourth innings out of five for the series that the home side has been bowled out for less than 200.
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Originally published as West Indies v Australia, third Test, day two: Cameron Green stands tall on night of carnage
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