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Australia vs West Indies: Steve Smith, Cameron Green bat Aussies to within sight of victory

Steve Smith has been left with an opportunity to silence the doubters as Australia looks to defy grim weather predictions and a plucky West Indian attack to secure a perfect Test summer.

Daniel ChernyDaniel Cherny
@danielcherny
23 min read
January 27, 2024 - 11:12PM
Australia v West Indies: Test 2, Day 2 highlights

Steve Smith can silence the critics on Sunday after setting the platform to complete a perfect home Test summer for Australia.

Fielding brilliance from Travis Head and Cameron Green combined with the nagging consistency of Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon left the Aussies in the ascendancy despite the spirited efforts of the persistent West Indies.

Chasing 216 to make it five wins from as many starts this summer, the Aussies were 2-60 at stumps on day three at the Gabba.

The Windies’ chances of breaking a two-decade Test drought against Australia were dealt a hammer blow when scintillating paceman Shamar Joseph hobbled off the field after his toes bore the brunt of a Mitchell Starc thunderbolt.

Having started the day at 1-13, the Windies were bowled out for 193 after No. 11 Joseph was forced to retire hurt. He had been initially been given out lbw from the yorker only for replays to find Starc had overstepped but was in no condition to continue.

With Joseph taken for assessment, the Windies relied on namesake Alzarri Joseph to remove Usman Khawaja via a tickle down the leg side for 10.

Shamar Joseph was sent for scans after being struck by a Mitch Starc thunderbolt. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Shamar Joseph was sent for scans after being struck by a Mitch Starc thunderbolt. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

When Marnus Labuschagne went edging for five after being squared up by Justin Greaves, the Aussies were vulnerable at 2-42, and despite some flutters, Green (9 not out) survived and will resume with Smith (33 not out) on day four.

Undone by Kemar Roach on day two, Smith had tightened up his defences, and was not stepping as far outside off stump in what is just his second Test as an opener.

While scattered thunderstorms are forecast across the final two days of the match, there should be enough clear weather to ensure a winner to what has been a surprisingly engrossing Test.

On a day of nip and tuck, Head and Green made crucial interventions to keep the tourists in check.

The quick-thinking Head pounced at short leg to run out Kavem Hodge for 29 after the Windies batter had come forward to Nathan Lyon.

Steve Smith has a chance to silence the doubters. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Steve Smith has a chance to silence the doubters. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Green added another special to his folio of gully grabs with a flying two-bite attempt to remove Joshua Da Silva for seven, drawing high praise from Ricky Ponting.

“It’s going over most fieldsmen’s head, that’s for sure,” said the former Australian on Channel 7.

“And the big man puts both hands up. Knocks it up to himself and then gets it in one hand on the way down.

“It’s that angle from Starc. The fuller it gets, the wider it gets Da Silva’s lured into the shot. Another wide drive, no feed again, knocked up and then down into the right-hand. Good catch. Another good catch from one of the best gully fieldsman Australia has seen.”

Smith had earlier made amends for dropping Alick Athanaze on 28 off Green’s bowling by nabbing the Windies No. 4 for 35 at slip from Lyon’s bowling.

With the mercury soaring into the 30s and in humidity of more than 70 per cent, Australia sweltered through the first session after the Windies resumed at 1-13 following the late wicket on day two of Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

Steve Smith and Cameron Green have the Test on their bats.
Steve Smith and Cameron Green have the Test on their bats.

Having been put down at second slip by Smith the previous evening, Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite absorbed time but eventually gifted a soft catch to Labuschagne at cover, falling for 16 to become Green’s first wicket.

Kirk McKenzie continued his run of starts this series by driving repeatedly en route to an impressive 41 before being trapped by Lyon in the off-spinner’s first over. McKenzie sent Nitin Menon’s decision upstairs but umpire’s call went Australia’s way for height.

Athanaze showed plenty of positive intent too but should have gone just before lunch on 28 when edging Green. Smith, perhaps too eager to get involved after a forgettable match thus far, dived across from second slip in a bid to take a one-handed blinder. Smith got a hand to the ball but couldn’t control the catch, which appeared to be flying straight to Khawaja at first slip.

Australia strangled the Windies under lights as Hazlewood joined Lyon in finishing with three wickets. Alex Carey almost spilled a regulation chance to remove Greaves but controlled the ball eventually.

While Australia retained the Frank Worrell Trophy with its win in Adelaide, a loss in Brisbane would be a blow to the Aussies’ World Test Championship title defence while providing a major shot in the arm for the Windies, who last beat Australia in the format in 2003.

Smith’s redemptive catch turned the tide in what had been a poor Test to that point for the former skipper, who was elevated to the opening position for this series in a move that allowed Green a way back into the XI. Smith fell for six in the first innings after being dismissed for 12 in the first dig of the first Test.

DAY 3 LIVE

with Tim Michell

10.32PM: STUMPS — AUSTRALIA 2-60, NEEDS 156 RUNS TO WIN

Cameron Green (9 not out) negotiates a tricky period just before stumps and will resume the chase with Steve Smith (33 not out) tomorrow.

It’s going to be an interesting couple of days.

The forecast is for up to 30mm of rain tomorrow and potentially 35mm on Monday, so all three results are still in play.

Credit to the West Indies who have put up an almighty fight at a venue where Australia has traditionally been dominant.

10.23PM: GREEN SURVIVES DRS CALL

Cameron Green is just hanging in here.

Greaves strikes him high on the pad and for some reason convinces Brathwaite to review.

It was never hitting and the replay confirms it was way too high to be out.

“I think the West Indies forgot that Cameron Green is rather tall,” says Michael Vaughan on Fox Cricket.

Green then edges the next ball just short in a nervy finish.

10.15PM: SMITH, GREEN MAKE STEADY PROGRESS

Steve Smith has 30 of Australia’s 52 runs and has looked so much more positive today than in his previous three knocks as an opener.

Australia will be on top in this game unless West Indies can conjure a wicket in the last 15 minutes of the day.

“You just feel that the West Indies need one more tonight. They need to have Australia at least three down going into day four,” says Michael Vaughan on Fox Cricket.

9.49PM: WICKET! GREAVES GETS LABUSCHAGNE

Kevin Sinclair has snared another beauty in the slips.

Justin Greaves squares up Marnus Labuschagne who edges to slip and Sinclair takes the catch low to his right.

Instead of somersaulting, he just stands still and lets everyone admire the catch.

Australia is 2-42 and still needing 174 runs.

“It just got him fishing at the ball,” says Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket.

“(Sinclair) caught it clean as a whistle.

“They’re still in it the West Indies — can they get one more?”

Can you imagine if that bail fell yesterday when Joseph bowled Carey!

9.45PM: JOSEPH HEADS FOR SCANS

Shamal Joseph has reportedly headed for scans amid fears he has suffered a broken toe from the searing Mitch Starc yorker which ended the West Indian innings.

And to make matters worse, Justin Greaves has conceded 10 runs from his first two overs as the replacement first-change bowler.

9.26PM: WICKET! KHAWAJA CAUGHT DOWN LEG SIDE

Alzarri Joseph gets the one the West Indies wanted.

He strangles Usman Khawaja down the leg side and Joshua Da Silva completes an easy catch.

Khawaja is out for 10 and the Aussies are 1-24, needing 192 for victory.

“The door is open here for the West Indies,” declares Adam Gilchrist on Fox Cricket.

9.17PM: AUSSIE TARGET UNDER 200

Steve Smith crunches another boundary through point and Australia needs less than 200 runs to win.

9.10PM: SMITH MAKES EARLY STATEMENT

Steve Smith has cracked two boundaries through the off side as he looks to make his first meaningful score as an opener.

The ball is hooping around as expected but after two overs Australia is 0-9 and the early signs are good from Smith in particular.

He looks he has no intention of being dictated to by the West Indian bowlers.

8.50PM: JOSEPH IN ALL SORTS AFTER STARC YORKER

Mitchell Starc thought he had Shamar Joseph lbw, only for the third umpire to call a no-ball.

But it might not matter as the ball cannoned into his toe and the West Indian quick has gone to ground in a lot of pain.

After being assessed on field Joseph has retired hurt in a worrying sign from the Windies.

He has to be helped from the field and is limping his way off the Gabba.

That’s the end of the innings, West Indies finishing all out for 193 and setting Australia 216 for victory.

“He is in a world of hurt here, and the bigger picture, like you say, I mean, a couple more runs might be handy, but when it is time to bat, bowl, he will be crucial if the West Indies are to have any chance,” Justin Langer says on Channel 7.

8.34PM: LYON GETS ROACH LBW

Nathan Lyon has a third wicket after getting one to turn sharply and trapping Kemar Roach in front.

The West Indies will feel a bit hard done by as only a fraction of the ball was taking leg stump, but Roach has got to go.

The Windies have lost 3-2 in 8.1 overs since play resumed.

Nathan Lyon gets Kemar Roach lbw on review.
Nathan Lyon gets Kemar Roach lbw on review.

8.30PM: ‘DIGGING YOUR OWN GRAVE’: WINDIES TACTICS QUESTIONED

As the West Indies crawl through the early stages of the third session, former Australian captain Allan Border has questioned their approach.

The visitors have lost 2-2 since the break in almost 30 minutes of cricket and a lead of 250 runs or more looks a long way away.

But Border wondered whether they were wasting time with the ball under lights by batting so defensively.

“I really do think a message has got to go out there, ‘feel free if you get the right one, not just rank slogging, but we’re going nowhere’,” Border said.

“Let’s just try and get as many as we can, as quick as we can and get bowling.

“(They’ve) got a great chance while they’re under lights to maybe get three or four wickets tonight. All of a sudden the game changes.

“Doing this, you’re just digging your own grave.”

8.14PM: HAZLEWOOD AGAIN!

Josh Hazlewood has had an incredible summer and now has 3-22 in this innings after removing the dangerous Alzarri Joseph for a duck.

Hazlewood again gets the edge and Steve Smith makes up for a few earlier issues in the slips by hanging onto the catch.

There’s big pressure on Kevin Sinclair now to get the West Indies to a competitive score.

“That is an absolute belter. That’s almost as if he’s caught it one hand,” says Allan Border on Fox Cricket.

Ricky Ponting says on Channel 7: “That is two today, Cameron Green high above his head and now Steve Smith, both feet off the ground, great extension.

“Right in the middle of those very, very safe catching hands. Joseph looking to go downtown. That is a good catch. I was just talking about it not being easy to see here at the Gabba.

“Very good catch, timed his jump perfectly. The man who has been dangerous with the bat in the series, Alzarri Joseph is gone for a duck. Australia now well and truly on top in this game.”

The only concern is that Smith appears to have heard himself while taking the catch, grabbing at his abdomen/hip and leaving the field.

Australia has taken 4-36 since Kevam Hodge was instinctively run out by Travis Head in a play which turned the day’s play.

8.06PM: CAREY JUGGLES CATCH TO GRAB GREAVES

Josh Hazlewood gives Australia a dream start to the third session, bringing Greaves forward and drawing an edge which flies through to Alex Carey.

The Aussie keeper uncharacteristically misses the catch at the first attempted and eventually juggles and holds on towards the ground.

It was a nervy moment and the catch had to be confirmed by the third umpire, but Carey holds on.

The lead is 206.

“This is just such an ordthodox catch and how he has made such a meal of it,” Ian Smith says on Fox Cricket.

7.42PM: DINNER, WEST INDIES 6-183, LEAD BY 205

Justin Greaves (32 not out) and Kevin Sinclair (10 not out) steer the West Indies to stumps and have taken the least past 200 in the last 15 minutes of the second session on day three.

You sense the next session is probably going to decide who wins this Test match.

Should Australia keep the lead to less than 250, Pat Cummins’ side should be content with its place in the game.

But anything above that starts to get dangerous, especially if West Indies make a bold declaration and unleash their quicks under lights later.

“They don’t appear as if they’ve got enough at the moment — 205 is their advantage,” Kerry O’Keeffe says on Fox Cricket.

“But they are still batting. They have in-form players in Greaves and Sinclair, they have looked comfortable.

“There’s some runs in the tail. Can they stretch that lead to 270, 280 and invite Australia for a nasty little half hour tonight? Who knows.

“But the pink ball is going to fly in the darkness.”

7.36PM: WINDIES LEAD REACHES 200

A reminder that Australia’s best score in a fourth-innings at the Gabba is 240.

We’ve got a serious game on our hands here.

7.25PM: VAUGHAN — WINDIES NEED 280-RUN LEAD

Michael Vaughan has urged the West Indies to up the ante and declare tonight to unleash their quicks under lights.

With the lead approaching 200, the former England captain said on Fox Sports a lead of about 280 runs would give the world’s eighth-ranked Test nation a chance to upset Australia in Brisbane.

“They’ve put up one hell of a fight,” Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.

“Because of the skill, the determination. I think they need a few more runs just yet.

“If they can get to 280...another 90, they’ll be delighted with that.

“We saw Pat Cummins last night, he declared at got the one wicket in that last over.

“I think for this West Indies team, they need to be bowling tonight. We saw them in the first innings, they had Australia 4-24.”

Australia’s best fourth-innings score at the Gabba is 240, which was achieved in 1968 in a loss against West Indies.

The highest fourth-innings chase at the ground is 450 (Pakistan in 2016).

7.04PM: GREEN’S GULLY BRILLIANCE

Cameron Green reacts quickly to take a gully catch at the second attempt and remove Joshua Da Silva.

The West Indian captain flashes outside off stump with little foot movement and the ball flies to Green at gully.

It bursts through his hands initially but he finds it on the rebound and holds on with one hand.

“Not many players could have caught that. It needed a tall man,” says Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket.

On Channel 7, Ricky Ponting adds: “It’s going over most fieldsman’s head, that’s for sure. And the big man puts both hands up.

“Knocks it up to himself and then gets it in one hand on the way down.It’s that angle from Starc. The fuller it gets, the wider it gets Da Silva’s lured into the shot. Another wide drive, no feed again, knocked up and then down into the right-hand.

“Good catch. Another good catch from one of the best gully fieldsman Australia has seen.”

Kevin Sinclair comes in, french cuts his first ball for four and West Indies lead by 183 runs as the dinner break draws closer.

6.51PM: HEAD PULLS OFF INCREDIBLE RUN OUT

A huge moment in this Test match!

Kavem Hodge clips the ball to Travis Head, who has the helmet on in close on the leg side.

Head reacts instinctively, flicks the ball back onto the stumps and runs Hodge out.

It’s a cruel moment for the West Indian whose bat was over the line, but bobbled and stopped him grounding it to be safe.

“Just a bit of brilliance can change the match, one way or the other,” Mark Waugh says on Fox Cricket.

6.50PM: CRASH — WE MUST DO MORE FOR WEST INDIES

Robert Craddock writes: If there’s one thing to come out of this series is that world and Australian cricket must do everything it can to ensure West Indian Test cricket never dies.

It is nine long years since Australia toured the West Indies for a Test series, and that was for only two Tests.

Players like Adam Voges and Shane Watson were in that squad. It seems like a long time ago because it was. Too long.

READ CRASH’S FULL COLUMN HERE

6.30PM: PLAYERS NOT KEEN ON MORE PINK-BALL TESTS

Australian Cricket Association boss Todd Greenberg says players are accepting of the role pink-ball cricket now plays in the summer but would prefer only one day-night Test.

As the Gabba Test progresses toward a nailbiting finish, Greenberg said players understood the commercial importance of day-night cricket.

But he added that needed to be weighed against the importance of tradition in Test cricket.

“They understand the value of it and certainly understand the commerciality of pink-ball cricket,” Greenberg told SEN.

“In saying that though, I think if they had a choice they would be playing just the one over summer, not more, because of the beautiful part of what red-ball cricket brings.

“It’s different, there’s no doubt the pink ball is different. But like everything with players you have to explain the why. You have to sit down with them and have meaningful conversations with them.

“Most players don’t like change. Most players will revert to the position that they know and feel comfortable with and that’s why the evolution of pink-ball cricket is an interesting one, because it is different. It plays different and it is different for both batters and bowlers and everyone will have their view.”

6.12PM: LYON STRIKES AT CRUCIAL TIME

Just as the West Indian lead was nearing 150 runs, Nathan Lyon gets the breakthrough again.

Athanaze is tempted into a drive by the Aussie spinner but edges straight to Steve Smith at slip who pouches the catch.

The Windies are 4-123 and leading by 145 runs.

“It's a good bit of looping off-spin bowling...Steve Smith, he grabbed this one,” Kerry O’Keeffe says on Fox Cricket.

5.25PM: GABBA BAILGATE COULD BE ‘TEST-DEFINING’

Mark Waugh has referenced an infamous line from rugby league in calling for an investigation into Alex Carey’s non-dismissal on day two at the Gabba.

The Australian wicketkeeper was on 8 when he was bowled by Shamar Joseph, only for the bails to spin without being dislodged.

It proved a pivotal moment as Carey added a further 57 runs and helped Australia get to within 22 runs of West Indies’ first-innings total before Pat Cummins declared.

Referencing a no-try decision in a match against South Sydney, then Manly coach Geoff Toovey demanded an investigation in a heated press conference.

Waugh said on day three: “There’s got to be an investigation, as Geoff Toovey once said, the Manly Sea Eagles coach, when there was a bad decision in a game of rugby league.”

Waugh said on Fox Cricket it was clear the different height of the stumps had an impact.

“It’s definitely lower. That off stump is lower. Hence less of the ball hit the bail,” he said.

Kerry O’Keefe said the stroke of luck could be the difference in the Test.

“It was test-defining. If that bail comes off, Australia trail by 200. If they get bowled out for around 100, trail by 200, West Indies would be careering away here. The bail has decided this Test match and we want to know what happened,” he said.

On Fox Cricket at tea, a wooden bail weighed in at 9g and a zing bail weighed in at 27g — three times the weight.

5.03PM: TEA — WEST INDIES 3-106, LEAD BY 128 RUNS

Hodge and Athanaze get through the last over of the first session from Nathan Lyon and West Indies will be buoyed about their chances of pulling off the big upset here.

They’ll want to keep Australia in the field for the second session — and likely most of the third — before unleashing their bowlers under lights later.

No one thought this Test was going to be this close but one session into day three, it really is up for grabs.

4.59PM: SMITH’S TOUGH TEST CONTINUES WITH DROP

Steve Smith has put another one down in the slips.

Athanaze tries to drive Cameron Green, Smith dives in front of Usman Khawaja from second slip and the chance goes down.

“It was a tough one, it was the right down the middle...it pierced the game between first and second. He moved well too Smith, it just didn’t stick,” says Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket.

Brendon Julian adds: “I think that’s Khawaja with two hands.”

4.30PM: MCKENZIE GONE!

Nathan Lyon is introduced into the attack and it has the desired effect for Australia as he gets Kirk McKenzie lbw.

The West Indian No.3 tried to sweep the Aussie off-spinner but missed the ball by some way.

McKenzie asked for a hopeful review but was out on umpire's call, giving Australia a crucial blow just as another dangerous partnership was forming.

“He didn’t need to be playing that shot so early against Nathan Lyon,” says Allan Border on Fox Cricket.

Brendon Julian adds: “You look at both those wickets today...I’d say they were soft. West Indies were in such a good position. To play that shot against Nathan Lyon on a bouncing pitch, he hits it so well straight.”

Kirk McKenzie trapped lbw by Nathan Lyon.
Kirk McKenzie trapped lbw by Nathan Lyon.

4.25PM: WINDIES LEAD REACHES 100

West Indies will be pleased with their efforts in the first 90 minutes today, building their lead by 65 runs for the loss of only one wicket.

The Australian bowlers are toiling hard in the Brisbane heat, with humidity at about 70 per cent and the temperature well above 30 degrees.

4.20PM: LARA BACKS SMITH TO FIND SOLUTION

Brian Lara has backed Steve Smith to find a solution to his form issues — whether it’s as an opener or not.

Smith has scored 12, 11 not out and 6 since being elevated to the top of the order and was out in the first over of the first innings in Brisbane.

Lara said it wouldn’t be long before one of Australia’s greatest batters found his groove again.

“With the technique that Steve Smith has, that’s always going to be a problem. He’s got to keep on top of the game all the time. He’s not that sort of player that, you know, have the perfect technique. That’s not a bad thing, because it keeps you interested in learning more and learning more,” he told Fox Cricket.

“He’s going to sort things out. Don’t feel that Steve Smith is now just going to decline. They may move him from opening the batting and that’s showing Australia’s (strength in) Test cricket again. But Steve Smith is going to sort his problems out very quickly.”

3.57PM: GREEN BREAKS BRATHWAITE RESISTANCE

Michael Vaughan says Kraigg Brathwaite has fallen into a trap set by the Australians after hitting a tame drive to Marnus Labuschagne at cover.

The West Indies had worked so hard to get through almost the first hour of play and extend their lead to 85 runs.

But after that strike from Cameron Green, Australia will sense an opening as it tries to land a few blows in succession and get back into the Test match.

3.45PM: WINDIES ON THE CHARGE

Kirk McKenzie has raced to 30 at quicker than a run a ball and Kraigg Brathwaite is offering solid support as West Indies set about building a dangerous lead on a scorching day in Brisbane.

McKenzie has played some beautiful drives in the first hour and been the main reason the lead has already stretched beyond 80 runs.

How many will be too many for Australia to run down?

3.30PM: ‘I WAS GOING TO REVIEW’ — CAREY REFLECTS ON BAIL DRAMA

Alex Carey says he was confident he didn’t hit the ball which nicked his stumps when he survived being bowled on day two.

Shamar Joseph hit the top of the Aussie wicketkeeper’s stump and the bail rolled in its groove without being dislodged.

It ended up being a crucial moment as Carey went from eight runs to 65 from 49 balls and bludgeoned Australia back into the match.

“I obviously had the ball go past the bat and I heard a good noise as well,” he told Channel 7. “As we see there, if the umpire gave it out I was probably going to review it. I didn’t feel the nick — but it was a good sound.

“Then obviously in reflection you need a bit of luck in cricket every now and then. I guess when the ball hits the stumps, if I was the fielding side, I’d probably like it to be out.”

West Indian quick Kemar Roach said after day two: “There was a noise, but everyone thought it was the pad or something. It was actually the stump and the bail was spinning. It’s cricket. Sometimes you need some luck...it would have been a different game I think at 6-70.”

3.02PM: LANGER’S WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WINDIES

We wonder what former coach Justin Langer was saying to Tagenarine Chanderpaul here …

Chanderpaul won’t feature again with the bat in this Test match, but his teammates certainly have a huge job to try and set Australia a tough fourth-innings chase.

His fellow Channel 7 commentator, Ricky Ponting, said the first hour of today’s play would be pivotal to this Test.

“This ball is still relatively new, it’s halfway through the eighth over,” Ponting said before day three.

“We talk about it all the time how this pink ball tends to go a little softer a bit earlier than the red one. Australia will be looking to make is many inroads as early as possible today.

“Being as hot as it is, you would think the fast bowlers will probably bowl short sharp spells. Nathan Lyon I think is going to play a big role early today.

“He will pretty much lock himself in from one end I reckon, Nathan Lyon and they might think about rotating the quicks through the other end.

“This is also a big hour for the captain of the West Indies. Put down late last night by Steve Smith at second slip, he really does need to lead the fightback for his team.”

WHY DID A STUMP COST SPENCER JOHNSON $2500?

Pulling a stump out of the ground in the euphoria of victory to claim as a souvenir, has been a cricket tradition for more than 50 years.

But now players will need to pay up if they want to take a memento home.

Brisbane Heat hero Spencer Johnson went to seize a stump from the middle of the SCG to remember his man-of-the-match performance by in Wednesday’s final, only to be stopped by an official in Sixers’ hat.

Johnson was told the new Zings light-up stumps cost $2500 a stump and had been hired out to Cricket NSW, with the expectation they’re returned as a full set.

Spencer Johnson is trying to purchase one of the match stumps from the BBL final – for $2500. Picture: Izhar KHAN / AFP
Spencer Johnson is trying to purchase one of the match stumps from the BBL final – for $2500. Picture: Izhar KHAN / AFP

The big quick graciously accepted the decree in the midst of his emotional celebrations on the field, but was so keen on acquiring the keepsake to send straight to the pool room, he asked if he could instead buy one.

Sources say cricket authorities and Johnson are now trying to work out how to do the invoicing to make sure the Heat star can – eventually and with some paperwork – get his hands on that stump.

Women’s star Megan Schutt had the exact same issue after the WBBL final, when organisers had to go and find her to ask for the stump back after she had instinctively claimed it out of the turf in the moments following the Adelaide Strikers’ triumphant victory.

Certainly Johnson is looking at a future where he may need plenty more room on the mantelpiece, with Ricky Ponting declaring Cricket Australia should be lining him up to be Mitchell Starc’s left-arm pace successor in the Test side.

The late Shane Warne participating in the tradition of souvineering a stump at the end of a Test match.
The late Shane Warne participating in the tradition of souvineering a stump at the end of a Test match.

Stump innovators hope that there will be scope for players to still keep stumps as mementos in the future and called for patience as the technology continues to evolve.

It’s a similar message when it comes to asking for understanding when it comes to the bizarre – and potentially game-changing – moment of the second Test in Brisbane, when Alex Carey’s right zing bail spun around and did not dislodge when clipped by delivery from West Indies quick Shamar Joseph.

Had Carey been out at that point, Australia would have been 6-72 and in crisis. Instead, with his lucky break, Carey pumped out a quick-fire 65 and got the home side back in the Test.

Neil Maxwell from Electra Stumps said the upsides from using stumps as an epicentre for technological advancements in the game were endless, but admits that the ICC needs to work with innovators to set parameters for stump manufacturing to ensure the fabric of the game is not impacted.

The stumps used in Brisbane for the Test – and the Big Bash final – are Zings and a rival company to Electra, but Maxwell said patience needed to be shown, with an understanding that technological evolution is going to benefit the game in the long-run.

For example, stumps in the future will have different cameras, radars and sensors which will boost tools for broadcasters, viewers, spectators at the ground and potentially umpires with decision-making.

“They’re part of an evolution of product, otherwise we’d still be playing with curved bats and no middle stump,” Maxwell said.

“In order for these innovations to take place, we’ve got to use the new technologies and materials that are available to the game and the sport. The key thing is that in any match, any given match, that the situation is the same for both teams.

Australian captain Pat Cummins poses with a souvineered stump and the match ball after a starring performance in the 2023 Boxing Day Test match against Pakistan. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Australian captain Pat Cummins poses with a souvineered stump and the match ball after a starring performance in the 2023 Boxing Day Test match against Pakistan. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“New materials are being used to provide a more innovative and developed game.

“We’ve got to find a healthy balance … there should be standardised parameters on which stumps should perform.

“The stumps are going to become the control centre of what happens on the ground very soon. We have pieces of technology that are going to take it to another level … so there will be an evolution.

“The ICC in its wisdom has to establish parameters for that.”

WINDIES EXPOSE SMITH’S FLAWS AGAINST THE NEW BALL

– Daniel Cherny
Steve Smith’s Gabba conqueror has laid bare the former Australian captain’s vulnerability against the new ball, confirming that the opener’s dismissal on day two in Brisbane had fallen into a trap.

West Indies veteran Kemar Roach continued Smith’s poor start to his life at the top of the order in Test cricket, trapping the all-time great for six in the first over of Australia’s first innings after Smith missed a straightening delivery having moved across to the off-side.

Australia's Steve Smith was dismissed LBW after he missed a straightening delivery having moved across to the off-side. Picture: Pat Hoelscher / AFP
Australia's Steve Smith was dismissed LBW after he missed a straightening delivery having moved across to the off-side. Picture: Pat Hoelscher / AFP

It followed Smith’s scores of 12 and 11 not out in the first Test against the Windies. Smith’s dismissal in Adelaide had also come as a result of his stride outside off as he edged debutant Shamar Joseph.

Asked after day two at the Gabba whether Smith’s dismissal had been a preconceived plan, Roach said it had been.

“It was a thought, it was a thought. Obviously a quality batsman that he is,” Roach said.

“But 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.”

Smith volunteered to move from No. 4 to replace the retiring David Warner at the top of the order. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Smith volunteered to move from No. 4 to replace the retiring David Warner at the top of the order. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Smith volunteered to move from No. 4 to replace the retiring David Warner at the top of the order, allowing Cameron Green a path back into the XI. Green hasn’t set the world on fire since coming back at second drop.

Aussie wicketkeeper Alex Carey backed Smith to find form.

“Yeah, he’s fine … he loves thinking, talking about batting loves the opportunity to go out there early and has been dismissed twice as an opener now and he’s gonna get dismissed a lot more as an opener,” Carey said.

“You know, he’s one of the best batters in the world and he’ll find way a way to score big hundreds for his country. He’s done it in really difficult situations before. So from our point of view, I guess the group’s not concerned at all. I think he’s played really well in the nets. He got a ball today that seamed a long way.”

Originally published as Australia vs West Indies: Steve Smith, Cameron Green bat Aussies to within sight of victory

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