Day two report from the Gabba:
That’s it from us today, thanks to Martin Pegan for the early stint and do join us tomorrow for what promises to be a box office day three at the Gabba. Goodbye!
Feedback:
Just watched 2 full days of the #AusvWI Test today. Day 2 was an absolute delight from start to finish. Countless storyline’s as Test cricket keeps us guessing all the time
— Thomas Miles (@TomCricket99) January 26, 2024
Test cricket. Undefeated. #Cricket #AUSvWI
— Jake Carden (@JakeCarden13) January 26, 2024
STUMPS: West Indies 13-1 (Lead Australia by 35 runs)
A sickener of a blow for the visitors at the last but they’ve had a really good day all told. A narrow lead and the opportunity to bat for a couple of sessions in the day time tomorrow to build a challenging target. Yes, they might be reeling a little that they didn’t blow the Aussies away once they had them five down for fifty-odd but Cummins’ side aren’t the No1 Test side for no reason. Khawaja, Carey and Cummins himself wrestled the home side back into the match during the afternoon and early evening. Tomorrow promises to be a belter.
Updated
WICKET! Chanderpaul c Carey b Hazlewood (West Indies 13-1)
He has! It was the most gossamer thin edge but the snicko shows a small spike and Chanderpaul has to go. Australia end the day with a scalp and the players depart a misty and muggy Gabba after a fine day of Test match cricket.
Australia call for a last over review! Has Hazlewood nicked off Chanderpaul?
West Indies 13-0 (Braithwaite 3, Chanderpaul 4) Starc sprays one short and wide, Brathwaite wafts at it unwisely and the ball beats Alex Carey to run away for four byes. Brathwaite wrestling with his form and technique out in the middle, never good, but especially so with Mitchell Starc scudding them past your edge. Starc is done for the day, he’ll have that Steve Smith dropped catch to keep him company on his pillow later. One more to go, can West Indies make it through unscathed…
West Indies 9-0 (Braithwaite 3, Chanderpaul 4) A testing maiden from Hazlewood. There are about eight minutes left in the day for West Indies to survive. It’s been an absorbing day of Test cricket. Steve Smith has his hands on his hips and is staring intently at the big screen as it shows his drop on repeat. There’s no feeling like it on a cricket field:
STOP PRESS – STEVE SMITH HAS SHELLED KRAIGG BRATHWAITE! The safest of hands has given the West Indies skipper a huge let off. A regulation snick to a poor defensive prod and the ball carried all the way to Smith at shin height… it slaps into his palms and falls to the turf. Starc can’t believe it, Smitch is furious with himself. Late drama at the Gabba.
West Indies 9-0 (Braithwaite 3, Chanderpaul 4)
Updated
West Indies 7-0 (Braithwaite 2, Chanderpaul 4) West Indies opening pair doing the job under lights so far. Hanging back and watching the ball until the last minute, negating any movement and playing with soft hands. They manage to rotate the strike two with a single each.
West Indies 5-0 (Braithwaite 1, Chanderpaul 2) Brathwaite is watchful. This is so tough for him, he’s been out in the field marshalling his bowlers all day and now he has Starc and Hazlewood soaring in at him under lights with a new pink ball. Another over negotiated though, just a Starc front foot no ball adding a single to the score.
West Indies 3-0 (Brathwaite 1, Chanderpaul 2) Josh Hazlewood shares the new pink sherbert and is right on the button. Six dots but crucially nothing in the wickets column.
Updated
West Indies 3-0 (Brathwaite 1, Chanderpaul 2) Starc thunders in surrounded by a quadrant of his own shadow. The ball jags off the surface but Brathwaite defends well. Ooohs and ahhhs in Brisbane. Well played Kraigg, Brathwaite gets off the mark with a well judged single to mid off. Chanderpaul is deep in his crease and squatting really low, covering his stumps, blocking two dots and then getting off the mark himself with a cut shot off the cue end that brings him a couple.
Updated
Here come Brathwaite and Chanderpaul. This is all about survival for West Indies – if they can get through this period for the loss of a maximum of two (?) wickets then they can build a lead in the day time tomorrow. Mitchell Starc has a ludicrously luminous pink in his mitts and the Gabba crowd are baying. Test bloody cricket. Let’s play!
Updated
Australia declare on 289-9! (Trail by 22 runs)
Cummins trots off the field after Lyon. He wants a dart at the Windies this evening under lights. Gulp. This is going to be a high octane final 30 minutes.
Australia have scored at 5.45 an over in Brisbane, and declared behind West Indies. Now that's Bazball!
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) January 26, 2024
Updated
WICKET! Lyon c Da Silva b AS Joseph 19 (Australia 289-9)
54th over: Australia 267-8 (Cummins 56, Lyon 1o) Lyon ramps a short ball from Alzarri Joseph for a single to bring Cummins on strike. A top edge over the keeper allows Cummins to take a single and he’s now gone past his highest ever Test score with the bat. That ain’t gonna help the cause – Joseph spears one over the keepers’s head and away for four byes. Gah! Alzarri bowls a no-ball that is driven away into the deep by Lyon… the batters run four runs! GONE! Lyon attempts a pull but tickles an edge behind…
52nd over: Australia 267-8 (Cummins 56, Lyon 1o) Cummins launches Keymar Roach downtown for SIX! Some knock this now from the Aussie cap’n. Nine runs off the over all told – 35 runs between the sides.
Bro is on a mission to win the ICC Cricketer of the Year every year.#AUSvsWIpic.twitter.com/VPUhTTA45L
— Ragav 𝕏 (@ragav_x) January 26, 2024
Updated
Here is that Kevin Sinclair celebration by the way:
What a celebration from Kevin Sinclair 🥵#AUSvsWI
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_) January 26, 2024
pic.twitter.com/G8EpyvzIw6
Moves eh?
51st over: Australia 267-8 (Cummins 56, Lyon 1o) Runs flowing, we aren’t going to see a declaration are we? How keen are Australia to have a bowl under lights this evening? Cummins gets three with a cut and digs out a yorker for a couple. My oh my. Some shot from Nathan Lyon, he punches away on the up for four down the ground. Eleven runs off the over and just 44 runs the difference now.
50th over: Australia 256-8 (Cummins 53, Lyon 3) The gymnastically gifted Sinclair tosses one up and Cummins times it away in the gap for four through cover. Thats Pat Cummins’ third Test fifty, his first as captain and his first since 2018. He’s stepped up today, his team were left reeling earlier today but are right back in this contest now.
49th over: Australia 251-8 (Cummins 48, Lyon 3) Cummins might have decided to give it some humpty now. Alzarri Joseph returns and is smashed behind point for four runs off his first ball. Three more come for Australia as Lyon gets off the mark with a clip for three. The deficit stands at 60 runs. It’s been a great contest today, ebb and flow. Is there another twist in this final hour?
48th over: Australia 242-8 (Cummins 42, Lyon 0) Nathan Lyon is the new batter. He’d have been happy with the Sinclair wicket, flight and dip, drawing the set Khawaja into the stroke. The lead stands at 69 for West Indies. Game on at the Gabba, two more wickets needed BUT if they take them then the visitors’ top order will face a horrible passage of play against the new ball under lights before stumps.
Updated
WICKET! Khawaja c Athanaze b Sinclair 75 (Australia 242-8)
BREAKTHROUGH! Sinclair throws one up wide of off stump and Khawaja throws his hands at it, the edge is taken by Athanaze at slip and Sinclair has his first Test wicket – he celebrates it in style by doing a forward flip and somersault! Go on Kevin! Simone Biles would have been happy with that routine.
47th over: Australia 238-7 (Khawaja 71, Cummins 42) Greaves stems the flow with a maiden, wickets the currency needed now for West Indies.
46th over: Australia 238-7 (Khawaja 71, Cummins 42) Pat Cummins shows his dexterity and paddle sweeps Greaves for four. Now, was that an edge dropped? Replays shows that Cummins got a feather on another attempted paddle but Da Silva couldn’t gather the ball as it headed down the leg side for a bye. That’s the nearest the visitors have come to a breakthrough for a while. The Khawaja/Cummins partnership has risen to 77 vital runs.
45th over: Australia 232-7 (Khawaja 70, Cummins 38) Greaves is around the wicket to Khawaja who greets him with a fizzing cover drive for four! Back over the wicket for the bowler but still the lead is ticked down. Seven runs off the over and Australia trail by 79 runs now.
44th over: Australia 225-7 (Khawaja 65, Cummins 36) Khawaja pulls Sinclair away to the leg side rope for four and Cummins gets in on the act by unfurling a powerful cut shot in the gap for the second boundary of the over. Dangerous times for the men in maroon caps.
43rd over: Australia 216-7 (Khawaja 60, Cummins 32) More runs to Australia, more pain for West Indies. Usman plays a textbook straight drive down the ground for four and Cummins is quick on his feet to rock back and work Roach away for a brace of twos. The deficit is down to 96 runs.
42nd over: Australia 207-7 (Khawaja 55, Cummins 28) Kevin Sinclair is given a twirl and he starts with a tidy maiden to Pat Cummins.
Hello to you Eamonn Maloney!
“Happy uncontroversial national day James, which is also Republic day in India, which looks to be going well in the Rajiv Gandhi National Stadium. Gwan the Windies and viva test cricket is the thinking man’s position, I posit. Would be good to see these middle order allrounders perform with the ball for the maroon caps, averaging 30 in each discipline is ok from 6-8”
A fair few people rooting for West Indies out there, I suspect a fair few Aussies might be too in the hope that we see a really good ding dong here over the next few days.
41st over: Australia 207-7 (Khawaja 55, Cummins 28) Roach finds Cummins’ edge but the ball heads straight into the turf and trickles away allowing a couple to be scampered. The lead is nearly down to double figures, West Indies need to find something here.
40th over: Australia 202-7 (Khawaja 54, Cummins 25) Justin Greaves replaces Shamar Joseph and starts around the wicket with a catcher in short on the leg side. Khawaja checks a square drive for a single. Evening has fully set in at the Gabba. Shadows left right and centre. No sign of Cliff though*. HoHo. The sun is out in south London proving that truly, anything is possible in this life.
*
39th over: Australia 201-7 (Khawaja 53, Cummins 25) Roach gets into his work straight away and lands the ball consistently on the money just outside off stump. Khawaja gets a single from the fifth ball and Cummins isn’t interested in a leg side-ish short ball that finishes the over. Australia trail by 110 runs, this Test match is simmering away nicely.
Thoughts? Theories? Weekend plans? If you are tuning in then please do feel free to get in touch on the Xtwitters or email.
38th over: Australia 200-7 (Khawaja 52, Cummins 25) The double ton comes up for Australia with three singles off Shamar Joseph. Man of the first session - Kemar Roach – is being recalled.
37th over: Australia 197-7 (Khawaja 50, Cummins 25) Usman Khawaja clips off his toes for a single to bring up his 26th Test match fifty. The ICC Men’s Test Player of the year is doing the biz for his country in 2024 too. Cummins picks up four in the vacant third area again, Braithwaite needs to plug that hole pronto. Bosh! Cummins unfurls a dreamy cover drive, hit with plenty of power, these runs are hurting West Indies.
Uzzy and Cummo digging deep and potentially saving the team. Conservative twitter won’t be having a bit of this #AUSvWI
— Paddy (good egg/top bloke) (@patrickboyce85) January 26, 2024
Updated
36th over: Australia 188-7 (Khawaja 49, Cummins 16) Shot! Cummins opens the face and runs Shamar Joseph down to a vacant third region for four. A clip off the hip brings Khawaja on strike. He goes to 49 with a cut to the man on the off side fence. The deficit stands at 123 runs.
35th over: Australia 182-7 (Khawaja 48, Cummins 11) Khawaja closes in on fifty, he’s been the glue in this innings. Alzarri spears one into Cummins’ ribcage that the batter does well to clip away for a couple down to fine leg.
34th over: Australia 179-7 (Khawaja 47, Cummins 10) Shamar Joseph continues and there’s a solitary single to Khawaja who nudges wide of point.
It's almost a breath of fresh air to see the Aussies not dominating a Test match for once.
— Ewaan (@Ewaan23) January 26, 2024
West Indies deservedly in front!
An actual test for Australia now 👌
I'm excited again. Good cricket!#AUSvsWI #AUSvWI
33rd over: Australia 178-7 (Khawaja 46, Cummins 10) It’s been an all action resumption after tea, Alzarri Joseph puts Cummins on the deck with a rapid bouncer, Pat does well to get out of the way of that one. Close! Cummins gets a meaty edge on a flat bat shot that flies wide of the cordon for four runs. A more assure shot brings Cummins three as he drives on the front foot down the ground. The deficit is 133 runs. West Indies will obviously want as big a lead as possible on first innings – the lights are on and the ball is moving around – can they dust off the Australian tail and blunt the new ball under lights? It should be an intriguing couple of hours from here.
Updated
32nd over: Australia 169-7 (Khawaja 45, Cummins 3) Shamar Joseph bangs one in that screeches past Khawaja’s lid and the bowler isn’t afraid to follow it up with a bit of a glare. It’s a poor next ball though – a half volley that Khawaja clips nonchalantly for four through the leg side. Youth meets experience.
Updated
31st over: Australia 163-7 (Khawaja 40, Cummins 2) Pat Cummins is the new batter and he almost runs himself out first ball! The Aussie skipper nudges to gully and takes off for a run but Khawaja isn’t having any of it, rightly so. McKenzie gathers and has time to aim and shy at the stumps but misses with Cummins long since having given up. Settle down Pat!
Updated
Evening has descended in Brisbane. Here come the players and their shadows.
Australia’s predicament could have been whole lot worse if this bail had followed orders:
Lucky Alex!#AUSvsWI | #AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/GGel9aON1k
— Don Cricket 🏏 (@doncricket_) January 26, 2024
This made me chuckle:
Khawaja with the best delivery of the day 🤣🤣 #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/MMIhHMgfht
— Santokie (@Santokie89) January 25, 2024
Updated
WICKET! Starc c Da Silva b Alzarri Joseph 2 (Australia 161-7)
Gone! West Indies finish the session strongly – Alzarri pushes one across Starc who obliges by attempting a wafty drive and edging through to Da Silva. The players leave the field, Australia still trail by 150 runs but still have Usman Khawaja at the crease to shepherd the tail. Time for tea.
Updated
30th over: Australia 161-6 (Khawaja 40, Starc 2) Ten runs come off Shamar’s over. A clip off the hip sees four leg byes down to fine leg off Khawaja’s kecks and a controlled pull out into the deep brings Usman three and Starc onto strike. A couple of singles follow. We might get one more in before din dins.
29th over: Australia 151-6 (Khawaja 36, Starc 0) Alzarri Joseph comes back into the attack for a burst of pace from the other end too. We’ve got about ten minutes before the dinner break – it could be a barrage of short stuff incoming. Khawaja is watchful, hanging back and dead batting before tipping for single to leave Starc one delivery to face. Alzarri steams in and thuds a brutish ball into Starc’s grille! That looks painful. We’ll have a moment or two here to check Mitchell Starc is ok. The helmet has done its job but Starc looked far from comfortable there. The big bowler gives the thumbs up but looks a bit shaken up. Cartoon bluebirds on his shoulder.
28th over: Australia 150-6 (Khawaja 34, Starc 0) Shamar Joseph has his dander up after prising out Carey – he greets Mitchell Starc with 134kph bouncer that whistles past the nostrils… close! Joseph finds the edge of Starc’s blade but the catch falls short of a diving second slip by a blade or two of grass. Don’t go anywhere.
WICKET! Carey c Chanderpaul b S Joseph 65 (Australia 150-6)
Carey holes out! That’s a big moment in this Test – Carey was looking sublime and carving Australia back into this match but he fails to roll the wrists on a pull shot off Joseph and Chanderpaul swallows the catch at deep midwicket.
Updated
27th over: Australia 148-5 (Khawaja 34, Carey 64) Greaves into his fifth over and we can all catch our breath as Carey works for a single and it is the only action off the over. This has been a real fight back from the Aussies, they still trail by 163 runs but from 54-5 and staring down the barrel of a humiliation they at least have a pinky finger in the fight.
26th over: Australia 147-5 (Khawaja 34, Carey 63) Shamar Joseph is recalled but serves up a half valley first up that is crrrrunched away through cover for four by that man Carey. A pull to midwicket gets Carey a single and off strike. Some respite for the visitors. Unlucky! Joseph takes the edge of Khawaja’s bat with a nippy delivery but Usman plays it with velvet soft hands meaning the ball doesn’t carry and runs away through the cordon for four more. Eeesht! Khawaja is not so velvety next ball – lining up a heaving cut shot but connecting only with the Brisbane breeze.
25th over: Australia 138-5 (Khawaja 30, Carey 58) Whisper it… but this is a Gilchrist-esque innings from Alex Carey. A clip through square bring him two before the southpaw scythes his ninth boundary by driving Greaves through the covers. West Indies are struggling to contain him and the shine is being rubbed off their excellent start with the pink ball, and quickly.
Updated
24th over: Australia 129-5 (Khawaja 29, Carey 50) Now then. Alex Carey is showcasing some silken batting in Brisbane. He lofts Sinclair for SIX straight down the ground with a minimum of fuss, glides through point for a couple and brings up a 38 ball fifty with a tap to long on. Australia rocking along at over five an over at the moment and Carey is showing his class.
Updated
23rd over: Australia 120-5 (Khawaja 29, Carey 41) Usman gets in on the act now, Greaves drops short and wide and is clattered to the off side fence by Khawaja.
22nd over: Australia 114-5 (Khawaja 24, Carey 41) Alex Carey is purring into action at the Gabba – reverse sweeping Sinclair for a couple as a warning shot and following up with more powerful reverse broom for four. Nine off the over, Australia getting stuck in.
21st over: Australia 105-5 (Khawaja 24, Carey 34) Thanks Martin, what a couple of sessions in which to make your OBO dayboo! Right, Australia punching back here, Carey and Khawaja eking the home side back into the contest. Greaves stitches together a maiden, his second in a row.
20 overs: Australia 105-5 (Khawaja 24 Carey 34)
Test debutant Kevin Sinclair has a chance to make an impact with the ball after compiling a feisty fifty and taking a screamer earlier in the day. He comes around the wicket to Carey who sweeps the first ball to the fence. Carey adds another four through cover and pulls out his contentious reverse-sweep to end the over with another boundary.
That little flurry from Carey might see Sinclair off after one over, and it calls time on my stint on the blog today. It has been one of the more entertaining sessions of the summer, so thanks for reading. Stick around as James Wallace takes us home.
19 overs: Australia 93-5 (Khawaja 24 Carey 22)
Shamar Joseph is given a rest after a loose over and Justin Greaves takes the cherry. He finds his line immediately and starts with a maiden to Khawaja.
Updated
18 overs: Australia 93-5 (Khawaja 24 Carey 22)
Roach starts to Khawaja and a much quieter over only yields the one run.
17 overs: Australia 92-5 (Khawaja 23 Carey 22)
Alex Carey lights up the Gabba as Shamar Joseph is punished for anything over-pitched. Khawaja sends a full delivery through mid-off for four then hands the strike to Carey with a composed pull shot. Carey then smacks three boundaries on the trot each from sensational strokes. The first is a textbook cover drive, the second goes the same way while down on a knee, and the last goes past point and benefits from a Sinclair misfield.
16 overs: Australia 75-5 (Khawaja 18 Carey 10)
Roach is back at the top of his mark and bowling to Khawaja. The Australian opener has looked typically unflappable whenever on strike, using the pace of the ball to pick up singles and turn over the strike. He does so again to a fuller ball from Roach.
15 overs: Australia 74-5 (Khawaja 17 Carey 10)
West Indies are all but sure they have a sixth wicket as Carey swings at a shorter ball from Shamar Joseph and there is a loud noise before it lands in Da Silva’s gloves. The appeal is turned down and West Indies are right not to review it as replays show the ball nicked the bails. It looks like a decent touch but somehow Carey survives.
14 overs: Australia 71-5 (Khawaja 16 Carey 8)
Alzarri Joseph has the ball angling into Carey but the Australia keeper works it away for two runs then adds three more with a straight drive. Joseph finds his line to the left-hander as Khawaja is beaten by a ball going across him but later finds a single to fine leg.
13 overs: Australia 65-5 (Khawaja 15, Carey 3)
Shamar Joseph allows the Australian pair time to breathe with three unthreatening deliveries down leg and a couple of bouncers that are easily avoided. Four byes are especially harsh on West Indies keeper Da Silva, with Joseph coming around the wicket to Carey but pushing the ball behind his legs.
12 overs: Australia 58-5 (Khawaja 15, Carey 0)
A fiery over from Joseph has Australia well and truly on the ropes. Marsh dispatched the first ball through cover for four but was then out trying to pull a quicker delivery. Joseph hits 147 km/h while overstepping with his first ball to Carey, which crashes off a thigh pad for a leg bye. Khawaja adds a couple behind square but it’s carnage for Australia at the Gabba.
WICKET! Marsh c Roach b A Joseph 21 Australia 54-5
Marsh was just starting to put the foot down but is brought to a sudden halt when Alzarri Joseph beats him for pace. Marsh rocks back to pull a shorter ball but it’s onto him quickly and pops up to Roach for a simple catch at mid-on.
The crowd falls silent as the West Indians’ jubilant screams fill the Gabba.
Updated
11 overs: Australia 50-4 (Khawaja 13, Marsh 17)
The change is made but it’s Kemar Roach to make way as Shamar Joseph comes into the attack. Joseph picks up where he left off in the first Test, moving the ball around and beating Khawaja twice in the over. The opener survives as it’s a maiden for Joseph.
10 overs: Australia 50-4 (Khawaja 13, Marsh 17)
It might be time for a change as Alzarri Joseph starts to leak runs. Khawaja is the first to strike, with a boundary through gully. Marsh adds another later in the over with a glance down leg as Australia bring up their 50.
9 overs: Australia 39-4 (Khawaja 9, Marsh 12)
Khawaja pulls for a single to start the over and hand the strike to Marsh who is now looking to punish anything a touch loose. When Roach over-pitches, the towering Australian smacks the ball straight back for a boundary.
8 overs: Australia 33-4 (Khawaja 8, Marsh 7)
SIX! Marsh brushes aside any concerns with the scoreline when Joseph drops in a short ball in that travels a touch wide. Marsh cuts hard and a thick top edge sends the ball soaring over the fence. Joseph responds with two cracking deliveries both quicker than 140 km/h.
7 overs: Australia 27-4 (Khawaja 8, Marsh 1)
Khawaja faces Roach on a hat-trick as the Gabba crowd livens up, but the West Indian angles the ball outside off and the moment fades away. Khawaja and Marsh each pick up a single then are able to leave a pair of good length balls just outside off.
6 overs: Australia 25-4 (Khawaja 7, Marsh 0)
The Australia rebuild begins as Khawaja and then Marsh keep out Alzarri Joseph. Khawaja adds a run while nudging a single to fine leg.
All eyes will now be on Kemar Roach as the veteran pacer is on a hat-trick after dismissing Green and Head in consecutive balls before the break.
The 35-year-old will be aiming to become the fifth West Indian after Lance Gibbs, Wes Hall, Courtney Walsh and Jermaine Lawson to take a Test hat-trick.
Updated
Kevin Sinclair is going to remember his Test debut, with a half-century and a cracking catch in the one astonishing session helping to put West Indies in command.
How about that session for Kevin Sinclair 🙌
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 26, 2024
A half-century on debut and then a quality catch, he talks to @alisonmitchell about it all #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/4WeG5Cxvyb
Updated
In the other Test match happening at the moment in Hyderabad, India are in command at 222 for 3 trailing England’s first innings by just 24 runs.
Updated
LUNCH/TEA/BREAK: Australia are 24-4 chasing West Indies' 311
West Indies have turned the second Test around in five incredible overs.
Just a day ago the visitors were on the brink of an embarrassing first innings total when 64-5, but a middle-order fightback pulled them to 311.
It is now Australia’s turn to find a route to a great escape after slumping to 24-4, with Smith (6), Labuschagne (3), Green (8) and Head (0) all dismissed.
Usman Khawaja (6 not out) – the ICC men’s Test cricketer of the year – has mostly watched the drama unfold from the bowler’s end, only facing six deliveries as four Australian wickets tumbled.
West Indies veteran Kemar Roach (3/13) set the scene when trapping Smith in front in the first over, and added the wickets of Green and Head just before the break.
Australia might now be the side casting hopeful eyes on the weather forecast, as the covers are placed over the pitch just before a touch of rain starts to fall.
Updated
WICKET! Head c Da Silva b Roach 0 Australia 24-4
HEAD IS GONE FIRST BALL! And it’s a golden duck for Head after a match-winning century in his last knock.
Roach sends the ball down leg and Head gets the lightest of touches on it. Da Silva makes a tricky catch look easy and Australia are an improbable 24-4 – still 287 runs behind the West Indies’ first innings total.
Updated
WICKET! Green c Brathwaite b Roach 8 Australia 24-3
Green is on the front foot but doesn’t go through with his shot as a timid strike goes straight to Brathwaite for a simple catch. A stunning turnaround at the Gabba!
Updated
4 overs: Australia 22-2 (Khawaja 6, Green 6)
Green’s power allows him to push a gentle shot through mid-off all the way to the boundary. He then survives a scare when a short ball from Joseph pops off the splice of the bat but lands in plenty of space near point.
3 overs: Australia 17-2 (Khawaja 6, Green 2)
The circumstances suddenly call for Australia to dig in but Green and Khawaja are able to nudge a couple of balls away while leaving anything outside off.
2 overs: Australia 12-2 (Khawaja 2, Green 1)
Alzarri Joseph strikes with his fifth delivery in Brisbane and the West Indies’ scintillating start has Australia on the ropes at 12-2.
The wicket might have come even sooner as Joseph had a confident shout for lbw off the second ball of the over after trapping Labuschagne in front. The umpire shook his head, and a West Indies review showed it was the correct call. But the Australia No 3 was on his way just a few balls later.
Updated
WICKET! Labuschagne c Sinclair b A Joseph 3 Australia 11-2
WHAT A CATCH! Sinclair has pulled in an absolute screamer.
Labuschagne pokes at a ball outside off that clips the shoulder of the bat and flies toward Sinclair at fourth slip. The Test debutant dives to his right and hangs on.
West Indies have two wickets in two overs with Smith and Labuschagne both back in the sheds. Game on.
Updated
1 over: Australia 6-1 (Khawaja 0)
An eventful first over from Roach. Smith sends the first ball to backward square for two, is beaten prodding away at the second, smacks the fifth to the boundary with a delightful drive, and is then trapped in front.
WICKET! Smith lbw b Roach 6, Australia 6-1
Steve Smith’s move to open the batting will again be called into question as he shuffles across the crease and the ball crashes into the top of his back pad. The umpire calls in Smith’s favour but a West Indies review shows the ball was on track to knock off the bails.
Updated
West Indies all out for 311
West Indies have something to work with as their lower-order heroics take them to a competitive 311 – something that seemed unimaginable when they were struggling at 64-5.
Fighting half-centuries from Joshua Da Silva (79), Kavem Hodge (71) and the debutant Kevin Sinclair (50) were the key to their comeback, while Mitchell Starc (4/82) did the damage on day one.
WICKET! Sinclair st Carey b Lyon 50, West Indies 311
Lyon strikes back straight away as Sinclair dances down the pitch, swings hard but gets nowhere near the ball. Carey fumbles on the first take but has plenty of time to lift the bails and end the West Indies’ innings. A fine knock from Sinclair but he’ll be disappointed with the way it ended.
Updated
FIFTY for Kevin Sinclair! West Indies are 311-9
Sinclair brings up his half-century in style when a boundary over mid-off is immediately followed by a bigger strike in the same direction. Lyon tosses the ball out wide, Sinclair opens up a smacks a six that takes him to 50.
Updated
107 overs: West Indies 300-9 (Sinclair 40, Joseph 2)
West Indies reach 300 to mark their stirring fightback.
Cummins keeps picking away outside off but Sinclair finds a gap at cover for a single. Joseph adds another as he ducks under a bouncer and his flailing bat nicks the ball to third man. He didn’t have any idea about that one.
106 overs: West Indies 298-9 (Sinclair 39, Joseph 1)
Lyon to Joseph and the West Indies quick shows he is prepared to play to the conditions. After blazing away for 36 and 15 in the first Test, Joseph blocks this out for a maiden.
105 overs: West Indies 298-9 (Sinclair 39, Joseph 1)
The West Indies’ 10th-wicket partnership ends on 31 runs as Shamar Joseph joins Sinclair at the crease. Joseph showed in his Test debut in Adelaide that he’s unlikely to spend his career batting at No 11, and he gets off the mark straight away with a drive to long-on.
WICKET! Roach run out 8, West Indies 297-9
That’s a cruel blow after an hour of determined defence.
Roach knocks a full delivery away then sets off for a quick single, but is immediately sent back by Sinclair. The West Indies pacer is halfway down the pitch and always likely to be in trouble from there as Labuschagne swoops on the ball, but a slip while trying to turn around makes sure of it. Head collects the ball and lifts the bails, while Roach can hardly believe what he’s just done.
Updated
104 overs: West Indies 296-8 (Sinclair 38, Roach 8)
Lyon sends a maiden down to Roach who is intent on making it through to drinks unscathed.
It has been an impressive first hour from the West Indies duo, adding 30 runs but more importantly finishing it with the same two wickets in hand in part due to Green’s dropped catch.
The 300-mark is now within reach after the visitors slumped to 64-5 yesterday.
103 overs: West Indies 296-8 (Sinclair 38, Roach 8)
Cummins has an opportunity to bowl to the West Indies’ No 10 but Roach has little trouble keeping out the first ball. He then turns over the strike when a firm defence ends up as a quick single.
102 overs: West Indies 295-8 (Sinclair 38, Roach 7)
More invaluable runs for Sinclair as he takes Lyon on. A horizontal bat punches the third ball of the over through cover for two runs, but Sinclair saves his best for last with arguably the shot of the day thus far. Lyon sends the ball a fraction down leg and Sinclair is quickly down on a knee to sweep away to the boundary. Shot!
101 overs: West Indies 289-8 (Sinclair 32, Roach 7)
The ICC men’s cricketer of the year has the ball seaming away from Sinclair but the West Indies batter is now being more careful after surviving a scare in Cummins’ previous over. Sinclair cuts the last ball of the over away for a single.
100 overs: West Indies 288-8 (Sinclair 31, Roach 7)
Another chance goes begging as Roach nicks the last ball of the over just short of slip. Lyon is again tossing the ball up, luring Roach and Sinclair into their shots but the pair pick up a couple of singles early in the over.
99 overs: West Indies 286-8 (Sinclair 30, Roach 6)
CHANCE GOES DOWN! First a misfield from Marnus Labuschagne, now Cameron Green drops an absolute sitter in the gully.
A double change as Pat Cummins strides out his mark and bowls to Sinclair, the West Indies batter nudging the third ball of the over straight to Green. Australia’s most trusted fielder only has to lean a little to his left as the ball flies directly into his two hands – and bounces straight out. Green tumbles to his knees looking as shocked as anyone as to what just transpired.
98 overs: West Indies 286-8 (Sinclair 30, Roach 6)
Nathan Lyon is into the attack and starts with a maiden to Roach. The off-spinner gives the ball plenty of air but Roach is content to keep a watchful eye for now.
97 overs: West Indies 286-8 (Sinclair 30, Roach 6)
Sinclair gets motoring with positive strokes throughout the over as Starc looks to pitch the ball up. The first delivery is sent behind point for two runs, while the fifth nestles outside off and Sinclair can’t help but slash away – fortunately getting a thick outside edge that sails over Green at gully and down to the rope. A rare misfield from Labuschagne at mid-off allows Sinclair to pick up another two runs to make it 10 from the over. Starc looks far from impressed.
96 overs: West Indies 276-8 (Sinclair 21, Roach 5)
The first maiden of the day as Hazlewood bowls to Roach. Starc has tipped a bottle of water over his head while resting near the boundary, while the humidity hovers around 85%. The West Indies players in the sheds will appreciate staying out of the field for as long as possible today.
95 overs: West Indies 276-8 (Sinclair 21, Roach 5)
Starc hovers around 140 km/h throughout the over but the West Indies pair are showing plenty of confidence as they defend anything directed straight at them. Sinclair turns over the strike with a stroke to cover, as Roach drives a half-volley away to end the over.
94 overs: West Indies 274-8 (Sinclair 20, Roach 4)
Hazlewood starts with a bouncer to Sinclair then gets some movement away from the bat. Sinclair finds a single out to deep point, leaving Roach to face one delivery that lures him into a drive that somehow avoids making any contact with the ball. That’s a better over from Hazlewood.
93 overs: West Indies 273-8 (Sinclair 19, Roach 4)
Sinclair is picking up singles with ease here, this time knocking the first delivery from Starc to cover. The left-armer responds by being the first bowler to beat the bat as Roach plays at a full delivery he might have left. The West Indies pacer learns from that one and watches anymore wide balls fly past.
92 overs: West Indies 272-8 (Sinclair 18, Roach 4)
Sinclair is already looking comfortable and punches another single behind point. Hazlewood then strays down the leg-side and Roach nips it off his hip for the first boundary of the day. The Australia pacer finishes with a bouncer as Roach ducks under it with ease and puts it in the memory bank for later in the Test.
Updated
91 overs: West Indies 267-8 (Sinclair 17, Roach 0)
Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers on day one and has the cherry in his hand for the first full over of day two. The left-armer sends a pair of balls wide until making Sinclair play off the last delivery. He nudges a single away behind point.
90 overs: West Indies 266-8 (Sinclair 16, Roach 0)
Josh Hazlewood gets us under way on day two at the Gabba with two balls remaining from his final over the day before. Both pass by Roach without threatening.
As well as a penchant for giving straight answers to curly questions, Cummins also happens to be very good at cricket.
The 30-year-old was overnight awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy 2023 as the ICC’s men’s cricketer of the year, and named captain of the Test team of the year.
Usman Khawaja was included in that team while being crowned the ICC men’s Test player of the year for amassing 1210 runs in 13 Tests. Australia teammates Travis Head, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc were also named in the ICC’s Test XI of 2023.
Updated
As the players prepare for play to start at 2pm local time (3pm AEDT), catch up on more from the opening day of the second Test:
After 23,602 fans attended day one of the second Test, a sizeable crowd is building at the Gabba with day two taking place on a national public holiday for Australia Day.
Cricket Australia have chosen not to brand the second Test against West Indies as “the Australia Day match”, and Pat Cummins is one of many who have called for a change to the date of the national day:
The esteemed Gideon Haigh offered his take on Cummins’ comments and where they fit among the tradition of Australia cricket captains speaking freely:
Updated
Preamble
Hello and welcome to day two of the second Test between Australia and West Indies. Martin Pegan here to guide you through the first half of what looms as a cracking day, while Jim Wallace will later steer you to stumps.
We have a contest on our hands thanks to West Indies pair Josh Da Silva (79) and Kavem Hodge (71), who came together with their side reeling at 64-5. A patient 149-run, 311-ball partnership rebuilt the innings and allowed the visitors to finished day one with a respectable total of 266-8.
Mitchell Starc (4-68) did much of the damage to the West Indies’ top order while becoming just the fifth Australian bowler to reach 350 Test wickets. The left-arm quick will be eyeing off the remaining lower order to clinch a 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
While Australia will of course want to wrap up the West Indies’ innings as quickly as possible, it will be interesting to see how they approach the chase following the whirlwind debut from Shamar Joseph and with Tropical Cyclone Kirrily having crossed the coast in north Queensland.
