West Indies vs Australia, second Test day one: Australia post 286 after fresh top-order disaster

Australia’s top order delivered a fresh disaster - and Sam Konstas was again at the centre of it. But the under-fire opener has been praised as ‘exceptional’ and ‘back to his best’ by teammates.

Sam Konstas and Cameron Green have been praised for putting pressure back on the West Indian bowlers despite neither player converting a start in the first innings of the second Test.

The two youngest players in the Australian Test XI - and the newest members of the Aussies’ revamped top three - fell for 25 and 26 respectively before lunch on the opening day at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium before stabilising half-centuries from Alex Carey and Beau Webster helped the tourists to a first innings 286. Bad light halted play before the West Indies began their first innings on a day interrupted several times by rain.

But the teenage opener and 26-year-old No. 3 both fell to loose shots outside the off-stump.

Green, who was caught at gully off the final ball before lunch, should also have fallen earlier in the over when he was put down by John Campbell at cover off the bowling of Jayden Seales.

But Webster, whose 60 was his fourth half-century in six Tests since receiving his baggy green in Sydney six months ago, praised Konstas and Green for the way they went about things.

“I thought he looked back to his best today,” Webster said of Konstas.

Sam Konstas ’looked back to his best’ according to Beau Webster. Picture: AFP

“Looked like he was really clear, positive in the way he wanted to score and keep out the good balls. Top order batters, the ball’s always going to find the edge eventually or the inside of his pad, or whatever it is the ball shifts around up top there.

“So I’m sure he’s going to find his feet. But the way him and Greeny in particular started today, I thought it was exceptional. They put a bit of pressure back on their bowlers and made them change a little bit.”

While Konstas and Green have provided only modest output so far this tour, the same cannot be said of Webster, who has reached 50 in consecutive innings and jagged two wickets in the first Test. He is the side’s primary all-rounder as Green works his way back to bowling in matches after undergoing back surgery last year.

The Tasmanian, who made his Test debut at 31, said he was loving playing international cricket and just wanted to keep performing.

“I’m just enjoying it mate. I’m having a really good time,” Webster said.

“It’s bloody fun playing for Australia and winning games of cricket. And, you know, I think this is test number six. I’ve had one loss and (four) wins. So it’s been a great start. It’s been really enjoyable. And you know, when you contribute to wins for your country, it’s a really nice feeling, and that’s all I’m looking to do. And keep putting scores on the board and hopefully take some wickets, and, you know, try and stay around as long as I can, because, like I said, it’s really enjoyable, and I love playing for Australia.”

On a rain-interrupted day, Australia’s fast bowlers would’ve taken note of one dismissal in particulary - the ball that crashed into captain Pat Cummins’ stumps, that kept low.

Another angle of the Pat Cummins dismissal

Usman Khawaja (16) and Konstas (25) put on 47 for the first wicket before they fell in quick succession, as did the returning Steve Smith (three) as Australia slumped to 3-50.

Green (26) and Head (29) both got starts but the Aussies remained in choppy waters before Carey and Webster combined for a 112-run stand.

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Originally published as West Indies vs Australia, second Test day one: Australia post 286 after fresh top-order disaster