Australia vs. West Indies, 3rd Test: Windies quick denies Mitchell Starc send-off during shambolic Aussie collapse
Australia was dismissed for 225 in its first innings of the third Test – with wickets rapidly falling under the lights of Sabina Park. But it was a gesture by a West Indian fast bowler that has stolen the spotlight.
Jayden Seales has denied that an impassioned finger-pointing gesture made following the dismissal of Mitchell Starc was a send-off, with the West Indies paceman claiming he was signalling to a teammate rather than in the direction of the pavilion.
Seales took 3-59 to play a key role in Australia’s collapse as the tourists lost 7-68 inside 15 overs under lights at Sabina Park in another underwhelming batting display on day one of the third Test.
Having sensationally left out Nathan Lyon for Scott Boland, the Aussies were bowled out for 225 as the West Indies’ quicks ran amok with the pink Dukes ball, with Australia’s lower order resigned to slog before having a crack at the hosts.
Forced to employ two makeshift openers after both Mikyle Louis and John Campbell were sent for scans following injury scares in the field, the hosts lost debutant Kevlon Anderson who was castled by Mitchell Starc – playing his 100th Test – but scrapped to 1-16 at stumps.
It was a day that broadly followed the patterns of the series. As has been the case in the two preceding Tests, the tourists won the toss, chose to bat, and were bowled out by stumps. Steve Smith (48) and Cameron Green (46) were the linchpins of the innings. They put on 61 for the third wicket to take Australia to 2-129 before Green was bowled by a ripsnorter from Seales.
The Aussies reached the day’s second interval at 3-138 but then capitulated in the night session after Smith flashed at a widish Shamar Joseph delivery to trigger a collapse. Joseph finished with 4-33, as the Windies barely missed his namesake paceman Alzarri, who bowled just seven overs before also being taken for scans before returning to field.
COMMENT: Lyon axing makes mockery of myth about Australian selectors
Seales, who was fined for a send-off to Pat Cummins in Barbados, appeared to have gone again when he firily uttered words and pointed his finger after bowling Starc for a duck.
However, Seales was adamant after play that all had not been as it seemed.
“No send-off, that was pointed directly towards Alzarri. We had a conversation before the delivery. No send-offs,” Seales said.
“I’m not planning to get any fines or push the limits with the umpires anymore, so definitely not crossing that line.”
Sam Konstas was earlier dropped by Anderson on one, creeping his way to 17 before being trapped by Justin Greaves to continue a lean series and leave his Ashes spot in further doubt. Opening partner Usman Khawaja scratched his way to 23 but was caught beautifully by diving gloveman Shai Hope off Shamar Joseph.
Smith said that facing the pink ball was a vastly different challenge to facing a red one.
“The pink ball in general is just a completely different game,” Smith said.
“I find it quite tricky just picking the ball up at certain times of the day and things like that, and the way it behaves is completely different to a red one.
“I think people like the spectacle. But as a player, particularly as a batter, it’s very challenging. The game can turn so quickly, and things change really quickly, which you probably don’t get so much with a red ball. But yeah, people like watching it, I suppose. So I guess it’s here to stay.”
RE-LIVE ALL THE DAY’S ACTION IN THE BLOG BELOW
More Coverage
Originally published as Australia vs. West Indies, 3rd Test: Windies quick denies Mitchell Starc send-off during shambolic Aussie collapse
Join the conversation
Josephs lead West Indies fight as Australia resume at 6-99
Cameron Green and Pat Cummins hold Australia’s third Test fortunes in their hands on day three at Kingston, as the pink ball wreaks havoc. Follow the scores here.
Read more
The crime that crushed Boy Wonder Sam Konstas’ career
Australia is guilty of being too cute with Sam Konstas, their greatest crime a major misread of their rivals’ strength. That’s a problem for not only the Ashes, but his growth as a Test opener.
Read more