Australia appear firmly in control heading into day four of the second Test in Grenada, leaving West Indies with a record-breaking challenge if they are to square the series.
At stumps on the third day, Australia reached 221 for 7 in their second innings, holding a lead of 254 runs. With Alex Carey unbeaten on 26 and three wickets still in hand, Australia’s advantage could stretch beyond 300—an imposing target on a difficult pitch.
That would leave West Indies with the task of chasing the highest-ever fourth innings total at the National Cricket Stadium. The record currently belongs to Bangladesh, who famously chased down 217 against the West Indies in 2009. To win this Test, the home side will need to surpass that benchmark on a surface already proving testing for batters.
Australia’s third-day resistance was anchored by Steve Smith and Cameron Green, who forged a vital 93-run partnership after the visitors had slumped to 28 for 3. Their stand shifted the momentum firmly back in Australia’s favour.
Smith top-scored with a fluent 71—his 43rd Test fifty—featuring seven boundaries and a six in a 119-ball stay. He looked poised to convert it into a century before falling lbw to Justin Greaves shortly after tea.
Green, too, registered a half-century—his first of the series and seventh in Test cricket. After a string of underwhelming outings at number three, his 52-run knock, laced with five boundaries, offered Australia much-needed solidity. His dismissal came courtesy of Shamar Joseph.
Speaking after the day’s play, Smith acknowledged the conditions remain tricky for batting:
“The pitch is tough. The bounce is uneven. We’re in a good position, and I don’t think batting will get any easier from here. The new ball will be key for us. Hopefully we can push the lead close to 300,” said the former Australia captain.
If West Indies are to pull off an unlikely win, they will need to produce a historic fourth innings performance. As it stands, they are staring at both the scoreboard and history.
Brief Scorecard:
Australia: 286 & 221/7 (Smith 71, Green 52; Greaves 2/22)
West Indies: 253 (King 75, Campbell 40; Lyon 3/75, Hazlewood 2/43, Cummins 2/46)
End of day three