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Australia vs. West Indies Day 3: Steve Smith in the spotlight as hosts chase victory

Steve Smith has the perfect opportunity to silence the doubters when Australia continue their chase for a perfect summer.

Matthew Sullivan, James Dampney and Andrew McMurtry
6 min read
January 27, 2024 - 11:38PM
First over shocker sees Steve Smith depart

There is little doubt question marks still remain over Steve Smith’s new role, but the veteran has an opportunity to silence all the haters on Sunday.

After another tight day of Test cricket under the lights in Brisbane, the West Indies have given themselves a reasonable shot at a rare win on Aussie soil.

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Dismissed for 193 in their second innings, the Windies set Australia 216 runs for victory and a perfect 5-0 home summer of matches against Pakistan and the West Indies.

Potentially the key man standing in the way of the Calypso Kings is Smith, who showed flashes of his best during a difficult evening session with the pink ball on day 3.

Smith is yet to produce an innings of any substance in three knocks since his controversial move to opener, but he will resume on 33 not out from 56 balls with Australia 2/60 and needing another 156 runs to win.

A solid half-century, or more, in an Australian win will go a long way to silencing those doubters, with some tough five-day contests to come away from home.

First up in Australia’s next stop in the World Test Championship is a two-match series in New Zealand in February and March.

It was a wild comeback from the Aussies who were up against it with the West Indies 4/148.

But an amazing piece of fielding has threatened to give Australia a fighting chance, dismissing first innings hero Kavem Hodge with a stunning move from Travis Head.

At 4/148, Kavem, who scored 75 in the first innings, looked to be settling in for the night.

Nathan Lyon bowled an innocuous ball on leg stump when Head at short leg gathered and threw down the stumps in one motion to find the West Indian with his bat in the air.

It was barely any time at all and cricket fans rightly went nuts.

On Fox Cricket, Adam Gilchrist called it “a big big moment in this match, maybe pivotal”, adding that Hodge couldn’t believe it.

It proved to be just that as the Windies lost 5/45 as well as having Shamar Joseph injured by a Mitch Starc yorker which landed on the end of his big toe to set a very gettable total as 300 was touted as the score to set.

8.45pm - Eventful period as Windies set a target

There has been plenty happening as the tourists try desperately to give Australia a decent target to chase.

One of the highlights was Steve Smith leaping high for a great catch to remove Alzarri Joseph.

“Steve Smith held onto another screamer here,” Ian Smith screamed in commentary.

There was some concern as the opening batter left the field shortly afterwards, but he has returned to the slip cordon.

The ball seemed to be following Steve Smith at times at the Gabba.
The ball seemed to be following Steve Smith at times at the Gabba.

Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon both have three wickets, while the Windies have very slowly built their lead to 212 runs.

While runs on the board are usually a great advantage in cricket, the sentiment seems to be the Aussies are well in front.

Not everyone feels that way however.

“Do you think the West Indies have any chance?” Brian Lara asked Michael Vaughan.

“I do, yeah,” he replied.

“I think they do,” Lara added. “I think the Australian batters look vulnerable.”

8.07pm - Third time lucky for Alex Carey

Aussie keeper Alex Carey has made a straightforward catch looked really difficult as Australia take another wicket.

Josh Hazlewood drew the edge from Justin Greaves but Carey took two juggles before finally snagging it with the third.

“It’s amazing because it’s such an orthodox catch and he’s made a meal of it,” Ian Smith said on Fox Cricket.

Isa Guha argued it may be the pink ball under lights because it suddenly skids on.

Either way, it goes in the scorebook as a catch.

7.50pm - Test in the balance at tea

Ahead of another night session, the big question is how much is enough?

Currently, the Windies are 6/183, a lead of 205.

But Windies legend Brian Lara believes 250 isn’t enough - stating the side needs to look for 300+ to put the pressure on the Aussies.

It would be a stunning result as the last time the West Indies defeated Australia in Australia was the Perth Test in February 1997, 27 years ago.

The last time the Windies beat Australia in any Test was 2003 in Antigua when the home side chased down a then world record with a fourth innings of 7/418.

7pm - ‘Moustachioed wonder’ flips Test on its head

Travis Head, you little beauty.

An amazing piece of fielding has threatened to give Australia a fighting chance, dismissing first innings hero Kavem Hodge with a stunning move from Head.

At 4/148, Kavem, who scored 75 in the first innings, looked to be settling in for the night.

Nathan Lyon bowled an innocuous ball on leg stump when Head at short leg gathered and threw down the stumps in one motion to find the West Indian with his bat in the air.

It was barely any time at all and cricket fans rightly went nuts.

On Fox Cricket, Adam Gilchrist called it “a big big moment in this match, maybe pivotal”, adding that Hodge couldn’t believe it.

On Triple M, James Brayshaw said: “The moustachioed wonder — this would be ridiculous if it’s out.”

When it was given, he screamed: “Heady, you are a genius. What the bloody hell!”

Another strike immediately after left the Windies 6/157 after Mitchell Starc had Joshua Da Silva caught in the gully by Cameron Green.

6pm - “He’s on the charge Nathan Lyon”

The Windies are clearly in the strongest position as the sun sets on day three at the Gabba, holding a lead over 150 now with six wickets still in hand.

But Nathan Lyon is having a say on proceedings.

The offspinner has the last two scalps to fall, taking his career tally at the Gabba to an even 50, behind only Shane Warne (68) and Glenn McGrath (65).

Nathan Lyon (centre) is just about the key man for the Australians right now. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Nathan Lyon (centre) is just about the key man for the Australians right now. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

4.50pm - Lyon gets in on the action

Nathan Lyon was always going to be a crucial element of this second innings and he picked up his first scalp with his second ball, removing Kirk McKenzie for 41.

With his eyes on a half-century, McKenzie’s attempted sweep hit him on the pads and while the West Indian appealed the decision, ball-tracking showed it was going to clip the off bail.

The tourists are looking a little shaky nearing the dinner break.

3.57pm - Green gets breakthrough

Just as the Windies were about to survive the first hour, Cam Green got the breakthrough when Kraigg Brathwaite hit a delivery straight to cover and he was on his way for 16. The West Indies are 2/63.

3.44pm - McKenzie putting on a clinic

The Windies have made an excellent start to Day 3, with the Aussie bowlers looking lost for answers against Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie.

McKenzie, 23, has been particularly impressive, showing off his timing with several beautiful shots down the ground off the pace bowlers.

“Oh that’s divine,” Isa Guha said after McKenzie nudged one down the ground for four.

Ian Smith said: “This is a very nice innings developing here. Very easy on the eye, unless you’re an Australian bowler.”

Kirk McKenzie is putting on a clinic. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Kirk McKenzie is putting on a clinic. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

2.15pm - Cummins praised for early declaration

Pat Cummins was on fire with the bat, reaching 64 not out off 73 balls as he dragged Australia back into the contest with batting with Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon.

Cummins made a new career high score but instead of kicking on, he declared with his side still trailing the Windies by 22 runs.

The unselfish move proved a wise one, as Josh Hazlewood made a breakthrough late in the day, giving Australia a boost heading into Day 3.

Pat Cummins declared while Australia still trailed the Windies. (Photo by Pat Hoelscher / AFP)
Pat Cummins declared while Australia still trailed the Windies. (Photo by Pat Hoelscher / AFP)

1.45pm - Is this the end for Steve Smith?

Steve Smith is starting to look like a mere mortal and is struggling in his first few attempts at opening the batting for Australia.

Smith has scores of 12, 11 not out and six since moving up the order to replace David Warner and his lbw dismissal off Kemar Roach didn’t look good when he shuffled across his stumps.

Roach said: “Obviously you see how he bats, he gets far across and with the new ball, you give yourself a better chance. So I backed myself to get him out today and it happened so lucky for me.”

Steve Smith hasn’t had the best start as Test opener. (Photo by Pat Hoelscher / AFP)
Steve Smith hasn’t had the best start as Test opener. (Photo by Pat Hoelscher / AFP)
Is this the end for Steve Smith? (Photo by Pat Hoelscher / AFP)
Is this the end for Steve Smith? (Photo by Pat Hoelscher / AFP)

The 34-year-old has scored 206 runs at an average of 34.33 across five Test matches, with only one half century this summer (50 in the second Test against Pakistan).

If he doesn’t pass and he doesn’t pass 54 in the second innings, it will be his lowest high score for an Aussie summer in 13 years.

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“It’s in his mind,” Kerry O’Keeffe told Fox Sports News’ Test Cricket Daily.

“We know his technique will be scrutinised but I think it’s more mental than technical for Steve Smith at the moment.”

Opening the batting is a fresh challenge for Smith in the twilight of his career, but he’ll want a big score in the second innings and the upcoming series in New Zealand.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-vs-west-indies-day-3-live-is-this-the-end-for-steve-smith/news-story/66aa7104e390daffc5525f2c98db57c3